Park Myungsoo's Skinship With aespa Winter In 'Armageddon' Challenge Faces Backlash: 'Why Is He Too Close?'
Fans weren’t happy with the content.
As one of the powerhouse K-pop groups in the fourth generation, aespa has been active in their promotions for their first-ever full album “Armageddon.” The group has been promoting various schedules collectively while also engaging in their solo endeavors.
Particularly, Winter made rounds on social media earlier on June 5, when comedian Park Myung Soo appeared with the aespa member in a preview skit.
[video_shortcode_youtube src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/kS-mWk81It4?si=k_u0aBP5s09zkNfN”]
According to the post, the comedian adopted the persona of Cha Eun Woo, and engaged Winter in playful banters. At the end of the teaser, Park Myung Soo and Winter lean their heads together, followed by a caption saying “Eunsoo and Minjeong’s Secret Story.”
The video immediately went viral online, as it was fueled by netizens’ discomfort due to the 30-year age gap between the two celebrities, the teaser’s suggestive undertones, and Park Myung Soo’s previous reveal about his appreciation for Winter’s beauty.
Netizens stormed social media platforms to express how uncomfortable they were with Park Myung Soo’s skit with Winter.
idgaf if it’s a parody or what this old man has expressed many times abt how he finds winter pretty you can’t say this is something done innocently https://t.co/dMemfrswZn
— ً (@aesfirst) June 5, 2024
yeah i dont like this at all sorry this man is weird asf https://t.co/9YoZtK6ptG pic.twitter.com/2ytIHgTqqx
— a (@rinadefault) June 5, 2024
Free winter. This old man, how dare you? Wtf with sm to allow this? https://t.co/LTpbjPULpV
— Kim lip ㅇㅅㅇ (@Forkimlip__12) June 5, 2024
However, the fire was fanned when the comedian appeared again with Winter in a separate content. On June 13, aespa uploaded on their official SNS an “Armageddon” dance challenge video, featuring Winter and Park Myung Soo.
Fans stated how uncomfortable they were with the comedian’s presence. As if that wasn’t enough, they also expressed outrage over Park Myung Soo’s skinship with the idol at the end of the video, which showed him leaning his head closely to Winter’s.
@aespa_official Armageddon with #EUNSOOCHA #차은수 #WINTER #윈터 #aespa #에스파 #aespaArmageddon #박명수 #얼굴천재차은수 ♬ Armageddon – aespa
Armageddon with #EUNSOOCHAhttps://t.co/BJ7imQBzAF#차은수 #WINTER #윈터 #aespa #에스파 #aespaArmageddon #박명수 #얼굴천재차은수 pic.twitter.com/89QpS3dJCL
— aespa (@aespa_official) June 13, 2024
Here’s how MYs reacted to the video:
- “Winter stay right there I’m coming to save you.”
- “Why is he so close?
- “He really had to get close, wow.”
- “I need a TikTok challenge between BOL4 and Giselle, not Winter being held at gunpoint
- “Winter blink & breathe if you need help.”
- “Please add a trigger warning next time.”
- “Delete this post.”
— shinto (@killingryujeong) June 13, 2024
Why is this old man head touching mj. Fuck off. https://t.co/8nUpy5tY7M pic.twitter.com/rDwnq6MPKS
— yujA (@kymorne) June 13, 2024
why is he always so damn close?!? Free my girl!!! https://t.co/bMouig6zRw
— jay 🍓 (@penguinstrawb) June 13, 2024
— ؘ (@YISAPHOBIC) June 13, 2024
— $AYI | 🪐 (@ae_sayi) June 13, 2024
Others lambasted SM Entertainment for giving Winter solo activities and social media content with the comedian.
- “He’s so unnecessarily in close proximity of Winter’s personal space! Are you really tolerating this? @SMTOWNGLOBAL.”
- “This is not how you promote Winter’s Solo Gigs! Winter deserves the best and not the worst!”
- “Please don’t let my girls meet any trash men again. SM, you can do anything more creative and fun without them.”