Korean Netizens React To Viral Clip Of ITZY's Ryujin Allegedly Giving The Middle Finger

A casual day out in Sydney for ITZY members Ryujin and Yeji turned into a hot topic online when a clip of their playful antics went viral. The girls — who are currently in Australia for their Born To Be tour — were spotted in a fan-captured video in front of the Sydney Opera House.

iamfinethankyouandryu_1711247799_3330510389413618669_64512173450 — Ryujin in Sydney. | *@iamfinethankyouandryu/Instagram*

However, the moment that caught everyone’s attention happened while the girls were taking pictures together. According to a post on Pann Nate, Ryujin seemed to make an unexpected gesture with her middle finger, which Yeji quickly suppressed with a slap to her hand.

ryujin middle finger — ITZY’s Yeji and Ryujin. | *Pann*

The video posted by fans was blurry. Thus, netizens can only allege that Ryujin showed the middle finger — however, it is clear that the two people in the clip are indeed Yeji and Ryujin. A video posted on ITZY’s official Instagram account confirmed that when fans noticed the two idols matched the blurry figures in the clip.

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A post shared by ITZY (@itzy.all.in.us)

The clip quickly escalated in popularity, circulating across various social media platforms and community sites, including Pann Nate, where it sparked an array of reactions from netizens. One post in particular has over 217,900 views and more than 200 comments.

The reactions from netizens have been mixed, with many coming to Ryujin’s defense. They argue that the gesture was a harmless joke among friends and wasn’t directed at fans or bystanders. This incident has also prompted online discussions about the scrutiny idols face over their actions, even in their private moments.

iamfinethankyouandryu_1711247799_3330510389413674388_64512173450 — Ryujin in Sydney. | *@iamfinethankyouandryu/Instagram*

Meanwhile, other netizens from the online community have pointed out the apparent double standards in how the actions of male and female idols are perceived and criticized.

“There was a female idol who flipped off her friend at a concert surrounded by fans. So, what’s the big deal here?”
“It’s not like she did it to a fan. They were just taking pictures among themselves. Can’t they even do that much? There are male idols who post pictures of themselves smoking and cursing, but people make a fuss over nothing. It’s funny because the male idol who posted a smoking picture was hailed as a ‘woke guy’ for reading a feminist book, but female idols get crucified over trivial stuff.”
“Why make a fuss over something so trivial as if it’s a huge scandal? Seeing a male idol cursing at fans, talking behind the backs of industry seniors during rookie days, or scamming on second-hand marketplaces would make you faint, wouldn’t it?”
“So much for JYP’s character education, huh?”
“Do you really want to criticize them just for playing around with each other when it’s neither a broadcast nor a concert?”