Former HYBE Singer’s “Cigarette Gimmick” Met With Ridicule
A former HYBE trainee and active singer, Kyu, has received adverse reactions to his recently viral video.
In 2020, the survival show I-LAND showed the process of selecting the members of ENHYPEN. Trainee Daniel made it to the final twelve but was eliminated and did not make the final line-up. He presumably left Pledis in 2023, before debuting as a solo artist in 2025 under the name Kyu.
He debuted with the single “Tempo.”
On May 25, a video was shared online of the singer signing items while surrounded by fans. During the video, Kyu has an unlit cigarette in his mouth.
0525 ダニエル pic.twitter.com/ppmDkYMrbt
— はね🫧 (@wonya_yoi) May 25, 2025
Unexpectedly, many reacted negatively to the clip.
With his debut, smoking was featured in the video and there have been several posts on his accounts showing him smoking.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Many ridiculed the singer over the viral clip, accusing him of using smoking as a concept.
smoking is this boy’s entire concept it isn’t hot we are tired https://t.co/VrwoPyo5Si
— ☆ (@khiawings) May 26, 2025
he wanna be edited so bad 😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/jmqho2VdUn
— Ari ♱ (@bytteme) May 26, 2025
he's like disney/nick actors trying to break from their childish image in the most ridiculous ways we might as well refer to him as jojo siwa now https://t.co/37SU7o6d7b
— 🪼 (@turyeongie) May 27, 2025
While it could be possible, the OP that shared the video revealed that the cigarette was given as a gift, rather than Kyu using it as an accessory.
Cigarette?
-First of all, this cigarette is not his, and was given by a fan. The place where we met were so crowded. People pushed against each other and were TOTALLY DANGEROUS. He did not lit it because it was not safe for us, and also it’s illegal to smoke outside in Japan.— はね🫧 (@wonya_yoi) May 26, 2025
Kyu was previously criticized for his comments about I-Land, which you can read about below.
Popular Former “I-LAND” Contestant’s Heated Post About The Show Sparks Divided Reactions
