Red Velvet’s Irene Fiercely Defended After Facing Criticism For Airport Look
Red Velvet’s Irene recently found herself at the center of unexpected criticism. A recent post on the popular forum TheQoo went viral with more than 100,000 views after pictures of Irene holding a hot pack at the airport came out.
Photos of the idol at the airport went viral, showing her dressed in a light outfit while holding onto what appeared to be a portable hot pack. The viral post suggested that Irene seemed “consumed by the concept” and questioned why she was dressed in light clothing while still using a heat pack. The original post implied that the contrast between her outfit and accessories made it seem like she was forcing an image.
When you look at Irene, it kind of feels like she’s being consumed by the concept.
She’s barely wearing any fabric but always carries around a hot pack.
— Viral Pann post
However, fans and netizens were quick to jump to her defense, shutting down the accusations and offering reasonable explanations. Many pointed out that indoor spaces — especially airports and studios — are often heavily air-conditioned, and that Irene has long been known for her sensitivity to cold.
In fact, according to fans, the item in her hand is not just any standard hot pack but a mugwort pack, which Irene has been seen using for years. She even once praised it on a radio show, making it a well-known item among her fans.
“You Might Get Asked To Do An Ad”: Red Velvet’s Irene Is Always Spotted With This One Item On Hand
The backlash against the original post was swift, with many calling it out for nitpicking and unnecessary criticism. Netizens even said that Irene’s ability to become the center of debate like this proves she remains one of the most popular idols, even many years after her debut.
- “Maybe the stylist picked out the outfit, or she wore it because it looked good, but indoor spaces are often freezing with air conditioning… everyone has their own body type, right?”
- “That mugwort pack is something Irene has been using all year round for years, lol… Her fans all know about it. What’s with calling it a ‘concept’? People talk like they know everything—ridiculous.”
- “Cold hands don’t seem like a ‘concept.’ I know a lot of people with poor circulation in their hands and feet.”
- “Irene has always gotten cold easily and liked using hot packs. Saying it’s just a concept is kind of funny lol… They didn’t even do anything wrong, but every post is just mocking them.”
- “Lmao, every time Irene shows her face, posts like this pop up. People claim to hate her but pay so much attention lol.”
Despite the attempted criticism, Irene continues to receive overwhelming support from fans!
