HYBE Idol’s Reaction To BABYMONSTER Ahyeon’s “Controversial” Live Vocals Sparks Heated Debate
Another reaction to BABYMONSTER Ahyeon‘s live vocals from a male idol has sparked a debate online.

On November 28 and 29, the 2025 MAMA Awards took place, featuring performances by numerous groups. BABYMONSTER was among the many performer, having their own complete stage, in addition to a trio performance.
The performances have been met with mixed reactions, with many specifically criticizing Ahyeon‘s live vocals. Among netizen’s reactions, CORTIS James’s own reaction during the group’s performance has gone viral.
While seated during the performance, James was filmed as Ahyeon hit high notes in “Drip” seeming to scrunch his face and close his eyes.
The now viral video has sparked a debate on how netizens react to male idols vs. female idols, with the OP claiming that James’ reaction, documented more than once, would have been met with hate had it been a female artist. Some agreed with the point, using female idols who have been criticized for their actions before.
James is such a weirdo i don’t care if he was a woman y’all would be dragging him down to hell pic.twitter.com/gRbNVbhglw
— #1 AHYEON DEFENDER (@tokkiiikiii) November 30, 2025
If it were wonyoung, she would have viral hate posts with 100k likes and would be harassed every day https://t.co/NATYVsCi9O
— lukinha (@lutdobby) December 1, 2025
this is why idols nowadays are like robots with no expressions bcs a single reaction can make everyone go crazy and paint you as a bad person with their own narrative, you're a weirdo https://t.co/321XXhKQWj
— cess 🩵 (@luvvvrrre) December 1, 2025
Others felt that gender did not matter in this circumstance, and that the response to his reaction was a reason for stars showing no expressions during events.
this is why idols nowadays are like robots with no expressions bcs a single reaction can make everyone go crazy and paint you as a bad person with their own narrative, you're a weirdo https://t.co/321XXhKQWj
— cess 🩵 (@luvvvrrre) December 1, 2025
"If he was a woman" oh here we go again… I've seen as enough lashings and if not probably more disgustingly normalised mis*ndry within similar situations like this to know that this shit still won't fly regardless of gender https://t.co/q8PwSKWtby pic.twitter.com/G87CUohPXl
— philosophicalpony (@ilovemyself3001) December 1, 2025
She was screaming and he reacted naturally, he went back to bobbing his head and vibing to the song, this is why idols are so robotic with their reactions now. And stfu about “if he was a woman” because the main ones that hate on female idols are gg stans and he is getting hate https://t.co/06DFln4Od4
— G♡🍉 (@simplyyeoja_) December 1, 2025