Popular Boy Group’s “Disgusting” And “Homophobic” Concert Ban Triggers Huge Backlash

The announcement comes after several staff interventions at the group’s events this month.
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Koreaboo

Following several incidents with pride flags at recent events, rookie group XLOV’s agency is under fire for announcing a new rule that fans say “screams homophobia.”

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Following XLOV’s concert in Warsaw, Poland earlier this week as part of their 1st Europe Live tour, concert promoter 5 Oceans Studio released a statement on Instagram on behalf of the group’s agency, 257 Entertainment.

In the announcement, the promoter explained that 257 Entertainment has decided that “no flags will be displayed during concerts.” The statement went on to claim this rule reflects XLOV’s own aim to “create a neutral and welcoming space where every fan can feel equally represented and comfortable,” adding that it was instated “out of consideration for all communities and individual beliefs.”

 

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This announcement comes after multiple incidents involving pride flags at XLOV’s recent events. Earlier this month during promotions in the Philippines, a member of staff was seen confiscating a rainbow fan during a photo opportunity.

At the group’s Warsaw show this week, fans also reported that member Rui was “yelled at” harshly by staff for attempting to pick up a pride flag on stage.

Footage from the concert shows Rui reaching for something on the ground before backing away after hearing instructions from staff offstage. Meanwhile, fellow member Wumuti was seen holding a Polish flag without any issue.

Now, fans across social media are furious about both the new “disgusting” new concert rule and the justification behind it.

Many are accusing 257 Entertainment of queerbaiting alongside homophobia and transphobia, particularly given XLOV’s androgynous concept and large LGBTQ+ fanbase.

Others say they’re unsurprised by the agency’s decision given previous statements. Following the group’s debut in January this year, CEO Park Jae Yong claimed that the group’s members “do not identify as genderless in terms of identity — this is simply a concept we chose to differentiate ourselves from other groups.”

Fans are also slamming 5 Oceans Studio’s implication that the members endorse this new rule, given that they have openly supported their LGBTQ+ fans several times in the past.

Earlier this year, a fan shared a video call experience in which the XLOV members stated their intentions to support queer and transgender fans by changing industry-wide rules that only allow government names, rather than preferred names, to be signed on albums.

In further comments on Instagram, 5 Oceans Studio defended the decision, clarifying that fans should not bring flags to upcoming concerts at all, even if they are not intending to hand them to the members.

In response, many fans are planning to bring even more pride flags to upcoming shows as a form of protest. After the success of their 1st Europe Live, the group recently announced their first full Europe tour beginning next February, with a lineup of 11 countries from Iceland to Greece.

Over the past few years, pride flags have become increasingly common at K-Pop concerts, particularly in North America and Europe. In contrast to 257 Entertainment’s view, many fans feel the flags make concert spaces more inclusive rather than uncomfortable.

 

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