BABYMONSTER’s Latest Music Show Performance Triggers Scathing Reactions

BABYMONSTER’s latest performance on Music Core is drawing sharp backlash, with fans and netizens calling out YG Entertainment for choosing an excessive and “out of touch” concept.

A viral post on the popular online forum TheQoo — which quickly surpassed 85,000 views in just a few hours — sparked a heated debate, as many criticized the group’s stage and creative direction.

Since the release of their latest track “Hot Sauce,” BABYMONSTER has heavily incorporated themes and references inspired by Seo Taiji and Boys.

The trend continued on their final music show stage, with the group paying homage to the “I Know” era not only in music video concept but also through retro styling and subtitle designs in their content.

However, the homage has not been well-received by many fans. Rather than feeling nostalgic or impressed, some fans have expressed frustration that the group is being used to channel a bygone era they have no real connection to.

서태지와 아이들 난알아요 뮤비 오마주해서 핫소스 뮤비 만든것도 모자라서 엠씨하셨던 분까지 모셔와서 데뷔무대까지 오마주시킨다고? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 아니 대체 베몬이 왜요? pic.twitter.com/XRrIWZVF52

— ㅌㄹ.. (@aaaisiru) July 19, 2025

They already paid homage to Seo Taiji and Boys‘ “I Know” music video for the Hot Sauce MV, and now they’re even bringing in the MC from that time to recreate the debut stage? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Seriously, what does BABYMONSTER have to do with any of this?

— Fan via X (formerly known as Twitter)

베몬 서태지와아이들 너희 추억회상하라고만든그룹아닙니다 그때그시절보명서니나실컷회상하면되지 왜 베몬써먹어서 대중들한테까지처먹이려고함 니나하세요 니나하고 베몬은제발자기들거하게해주세요 ㅈㄴ어린애들이 왜그때그시절하고잇어야되는데2025에 ㅈ같네진짜 https://t.co/Ki9LGODbdI

— 소이 (@l0vvpa) July 19, 2025

BABYMONSTER wasn’t created for you to relive your Seo Taiji and Boys nostalgia. If you want to reminisce about those days, do it on your own. Why are you dragging BABYMONSTER into it and forcing it on the general public? Do it yourself. Leave BABYMONSTER alone and let them build their own thing. Why do a bunch of kids have to pretend it’s the 1990s in the year 2025? This is seriously messed up.

— Fan via X (formerly known as Twitter)

Criticism has particularly focused on Yang Hyun Suk, founder of YG Entertainment and former member of Seo Taiji and Boys, with accusations that he is pushing his own nostalgia onto the rookie group.

While some fans do enjoy the recurring throwbacks, many now believe that the Music Core stage crossed a line. Instead of allowing the group to build their own identity, netizens argue that BABYMONSTER is being overshadowed by past references that don’t resonate with younger audiences or serve the group’s image.

• “Ah… right, Yang Hyun Suk was in Seo Taiji and Boys… I was wondering why Seo Taiji kept coming up out of nowhere.”
• “The biggest problem is that the song sucks.”
• “Even Seo Taiji wouldn’t go this far. Yang Hyun Suk’s the one going overboard, no wonder people are saying he’s stuck in the past.”
• “There are so many good concept ideas they could’ve done, and they chose this? Unbelievable!!!!!”
• “Trainees seriously need to stop going to YG…”
• “This is really hard to watch. Why is the guy who used to be one of the ‘Boys’ from Seo Taiji and Boys acting like this?”