“F*cking Awful” ENHYPEN Ni-Ki’s New “Kiss” Tattoo Triggers Massive Controversy And Backlash
ENHYPEN’s Ni-Ki is facing a huge wave of criticism after fans spotted a brand new tattoo during the group’s tour in August. While fans had mixed reactions to his previous rib tattoo, the new one has sparked much stronger backlash not only because of the design but also because of the placement.
Earlier this year, Ni-Ki debuted a large tattoo on his ribs, which divided opinions but drew understanding from many fans. However, a video from the recent concerts revealed a kiss mark tattoo on his lower abdomen, and reactions were far less forgiving.
NI-KI’S WOMB TAT IS A KISS MARK HOLY FUCK pic.twitter.com/dQoocRSEq7
— Ar⁷☆ (@RikiDaDuck) August 24, 2025
Anonymous Question: “Abroad, a kiss mark tattoo usually means it’s from a woman… sometimes it’s done to mimic a partner’s lips.”
Fan on X: “F*ck lol, ewwwkkk.”
씨발ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 웨엑 https://t.co/okndejiXQc
— 제갈수하 (@pradaboyenhypen) August 25, 2025
Despite Ni-Ki’s reputation for having impeccable fashion sense and visual aesthetics, fans were quick to voice their distaste for the new design.
From now on, don’t say Ni-Ki has good aesthetics. Every single one of his tattoos is f*cking awful.
— Fan via X
앞으로 ㄴㅋ 미감좋다는 말하지마라
타투꼬라지가 하나같이 씨발이네 pic.twitter.com/MXlPvUi0MV— 제갈수하 (@pradaboyenhypen) August 25, 2025
At this point, I swear Ni-Ki basically pulling a prank on us like, ‘How much chaos can I cause to piss ENGENEs off?’ He’s f*cking nailed it, damn.
— Fan via X
이정도면 니키가 우리를상대로 “어느정도지랄이 엔진들의 야마를 돌게 할수있을까”라는 주제로 몰카를하고있는게 아닐까
존나성공이다 이씨발 https://t.co/5GctZNyVQF
— 𝑳𝑼𝑪𝑲𝒀𝒏𝒆𝒌𝒐𝒚𝒐𝒊 (@Neko2ru_) August 25, 2025
Some defended the idol, saying he probably wasn’t aware of such meaning and only got the tattoo for aesthetics.
Guys, Ni-Ki doesn’t know anything about that. He didn’t even finish high school, how would he know about those kinds of foreign cultural meanings? Seems like he just got the tattoo without any special reason. Seeing people obsess over every little detail… seriously, what a waste of energy.
— Fan via X
개빠갈들아 니키는 그런거몰라 고등학교도 안나온애가 외국 그런문화를 알겟냐고 별의미없이 타투한것같은데 하나하나 정병 처먹는거 보면 ㅈㅉ 할짓업나보다 https://t.co/9fc5I9jaYy
— 섹준희의부라자 (@bibig630811) August 25, 2025
The debate soon reached Korean forums, where posts about Ni-Ki’s new tattoo went viral and drew even more mixed reactions.
- “Ewkkk lol.”
- “If my bias did that, I’d unfollow immediately lol. Wouldn’t even waste time calling him out, I’d just get rid of the merch fast.”
- “Whether it’s a gun or a kiss mark, getting it was his choice, and freaking out over it is my choice.”
- “I’ve seen lots of ugly tattoos on male idols, so okay, whatever… but this one is on a whole different level.”
- “It’s ugly, but I don’t get why people say the placement is ‘terrible.’”
