SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu Comes Under Fire Over Cultural Appropriation
SEVENTEEN member Mingyu is receiving heated backlash after the group’s latest livestream.
On March 29, KST, SEVENTEEN held a Weverse livestream to candidly communicate with fans. During the broadcast, Mingyu appeared with a black fabric tied around his head.
why r they staring at me like that pic.twitter.com/JR1oXB6c61
— marti ⊹ ࣪ ˖ (@noniihae) March 29, 2026
Though some expressed uncertainty about what that fabric was, Black fans immediately recognized it as a durag and called out Mingyu for appropriating a cultural wear in such a manner.
MINGYU TAKE THAT SHIT OFF https://t.co/K6FSYQXrYA
— Princess (@megansitgirl) March 29, 2026
every non black person is jumping op instead of just asking for a black person to voice out their take on this 😐 not everything is a drag and I get yall are worried about antis but that doesn’t mean we shouldnt ever call out our favs. op wasn’t even being disrespectful here https://t.co/aVwsP09yqp
— ham 🫧 (@ggyuhour) March 29, 2026
i find it real funny how y'all big accounts refuse to call mingyu out for wearing a durag even though you see the comments. y'all fr dgaf about black fans lmaoooooo https://t.co/OgjsTnBZuP
— Princess (@megansitgirl) March 29, 2026
a better question is why is mingyu wearing a durag https://t.co/PAPPK0gOIN
— wimz ★ 3 (@loverofsvteen) March 29, 2026
Originally created as a hair protection tool, durags carry a significant cultural weightage for Black people as it symbolizes Black history, pride, and survival. Much like Black hairstyles, the durag is often weaponized to criminalize Black individuals. Hence, a non-Black person sporting it for mere aesthetic reasons is not looked upon favorably.
Fans also pointed out that Mingyu had also posted himself wearing a durag on Instagram previously, which was not appropriately addressed by the fanbase.
im black, i KNOW what a durag looks like. he didnt tie it properly, you should really listen to black people when we speak https://t.co/IRfbK5cQhS pic.twitter.com/VmZvZx3TZH
— nimbus ☁️ (@hwahrt) March 29, 2026
could you please talk about mingyu's durag? myself and others tried to post abt it the first time he posted pics in it but it got buried. its 2026 and its v disrespectful that this keeps happening
— nimbus ☁️ (@hwahrt) March 29, 2026
what gyu is wearing is indeed a durag bc we had this same convo back when he posted on insta in it..no need for yall to be disrespectful & rude to op! nothing that was said was wrong & it does STILL need to be acknowledged https://t.co/iMyGb8kcsz
— nana🧚🏽♀️ (@luvr8hao) March 29, 2026
Black fans of SEVENTEEN have expressed deep disappointment and hurt at this repetitive pattern, asking for more accountability.
asking for an apology and for accountability isnt being an anti. its the same shit he posted on instagram. again, its 2026, no reason for him to be wearing this shit. pic.twitter.com/4CacbtBaIP
— nimbus ☁️ (@hwahrt) March 29, 2026
yk when black kpop fans voice their opinions or concerns i think everyone should just shut the fuck up & listen. thank you
— nana🧚🏽♀️ (@luvr8hao) March 29, 2026
god forbid black kpop stans call out CA when it comes to these groups. instead of listening y'all wanna fuel fanwars instead of wanting our faves to be better
— Princess (@megansitgirl) March 29, 2026
The idol is yet to address the issue.
