In an online community, a netizen's harsh claim regarding LE SSERAFIM Chaewon's success caught flak from FEARNOTs.

Read the full story below!

FEARNOTs Protect Chaewon from Claim Saying Idol Had 'Robbed' Lee Gaeun's Success

On February 26, a netizen established a forum, titled, "Kim Chaewon robbed Lee Gaeun's life away."

The netizen's sentiments rooted from the "Produce 48" rigging controversy that was exposed in 2020. In the investigation, media outlets didn't explicitly reveal which contestants were rigged.

However, netizens speculated that Chaewon was one of the rigged members since viewers recalled her performance in the show, along with her far ranking placement from the top 12 and little exposure throughout the program.

On the other hand, Lee Gaeun was eliminated in the finale after ranking No.14, leading to her exclusion from IZ*ONE's final lineup. When the controversy erupted, it was revealed that Gaeun's true ranking was No. 5 if it weren't for the rigging.

"Am I the only one who's so furious about how lucky she got?" OP fumed. "It's also amazing that she's so shameless about it. If I was Lee Gaeun, I might even try to find her and grab her by the throat."

Fans were angered over the claims and called out the author for sending hate towards Chaewon. Some also brought up Han Chowon of LIGHTSUM, whose real ranking placed on No. 6, but ended up on No. 13 due to the voting manipulation.

Read their comments below:

•  "People who don't care at all about Lee Gaeun are just pretending to take her side to hate on Kim Chaewon. The hypocrisy is disgusting to death here."
•  "If you guys feel so bad about Lee Gaeun and Han Chowon, then you guys should support them more."
•  "Why aren't you guys supporting their content even after Lee Gaeun starred in a movie and Han Chowon debuted in LIGHTSUM? You guys are feeling so vehemently bad for them while hating on Kim Chaewon."
•  "Pann-girls seem to be only all about the talk."
•  "Pann-girls who don't support Han Chowon at all despite debuting under Lightsum and instead use their time hating on Kim Chaewon."
•  "You guys pretend like you will support Han Chowon so much because of how bad you claim to feel for Han Chowon."
•  "Seriously, if you really support Lee Gaeun, then go make sure to watch her drama."
•  "It's not like Kim Chaewon planned all of this but look at you guys making a fuss about her." 
•  "Pann-girls will hate Kim Chaewon to death, they are legendary at being another woman's biggest enemy."

This isn't the first time Chaewon's road to stardom got criticized by netizens. In other news, an online community discussed the "EASY" singer's rise in popularity during and after her time with IZ*ONE, which led up to her debut with LE SSERAFIM in 2022.

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: LE SSERAFIM Kim Chaewon's Status After IZ*ONE's Voting Manipulation Re-Examined

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Written by Riely Miller