In online communities, fans have divided opinions after K-pop idols - NCT Taeyong, SEVENTEEN Woozi, and TXT Soobin - were accused of "recommending" controversial anime about pedophilia and sexualization.

What happened?

Taeyong, Woozi, Soobin Embroiled in Issue Over Pedophilia, Sexualization for 'Promoting' Controversial 'Made in Abyss'

On November 20, a huge commotion sparked in the K-pop community on various SNS and online platforms after some idols were accused of "recommending" a controversial anime adaptation of the manga, "Made in Abyss."

(Photo : Kpopping: @pointofview | @Inkigayo @Dispatch | MyAnimeList )
Woozi, Soobin, Taeyong

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As a short background about the Japanese work, it is rated as "SEVERE" on IMDb for its highly disturbing theme, which involved children being abused and tortured. It also featured a stint of pedophilia and sexualization.

In an online forum then, the OP sparked a discussion after naming male idols who allegedly "recommended" the anime by watching and talking about it to fans.

Starting with NCT Taeyong, the idol is speculated to be reading the manga of "Made in Abyss" (MIA) after it is said Volume 11 was seen inside his house after sharing an Insta story.

TXT Soobin also revealed that he's watching MIA and was recently on its season 2, which is said to be even more violent and worse. Although the male idol emphasized that he's not recommending it due to its provocative theme, netizens pointed out that watching it despite its plot is problematic enough.

Lastly, Woozi briefly mentioned it as one of the animes that he just started watching.

As soon as this information circulated in the K-pop circle, even non-fans immediately showed "disgust" at these idols for having such reading material and watching a disturbing anime.

People stated that although they didn't directly promote it, just mentioning or just even implying that they are watching or reading it, could make a huge impact since K-pop fans usually follow what their idols do.

Since the aforementioned idols have a large percentage of teenagers and young fans, netizens showed concerns and worries about the negative influence they will bring.

NCTzens, CARATs, MOAs Defend Taeyeong, Woozi and Soobin

Amid criticism that the male idols are getting, their fandoms NCTzens (NCT), CARATs (SEVENTEEN), and MoAs (TXT) jumped to Taeyong, Woozi and Soobin's defense.

Soobin's fans immediately clarified the accusations that he recommended it as per the Korean post and implied that rather than the pedophilic content, the male idol found it enjoyable due to its "grand world-building, fantasy elements and dark theme."

Some of Taeyong, Soobin and Woozi's fans also hoped that people would refrain from making far-fetched claims without knowing their full context.

As of the writing, neither of the three artists nor their agencies stepped out to make an official statement regarding this controversy.

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Written by Eunice Dawson.