Controversy Erupts Over 'Street Woman Fighter 3' as Members Face Backlash for Offensive Remarks

The popular Mnet show 'Street Woman Fighter 3' (SWF3) is currently embroiled in controversy as members of the dance team 'BUMSUP,' including Honey J and Aiki, have come under fire for making offensive remarks. The backlash has now shifted towards fellow member Hyojin Choi.

On October 21, Hyojin Choi uploaded a video titled 'The Loudest SWF Review, World of SWF Episode 1 Reaction' on her personal YouTube channel 'Today Hyojin Choi.' The video featured BUMSUP members Honey J, Aiki, Hyojin Choi, Lip J, and Lee Jung as they watched and reacted to the broadcast.

During the video, Honey J made a derogatory comment about AG SQUAD's Danika, saying, "Is that even dancing? It's just XX." Aiki, reacting to a scene where she received a 'No Respect' performance, exclaimed, "You XbalXa. This Xbal."

The video quickly sparked controversy within a day of its release. On October 22, both Honey J and Aiki issued apologies on their Instagram accounts, stating, "We were deeply immersed in the situation while casually discussing with our members, leading to an intense reaction towards the opposing dancer. We sincerely apologize for using such emotional and harsh expressions."

While initial criticism was directed at Honey J and Aiki, attention soon turned to Hyojin Choi, who uploaded the video. Netizens criticized her for not recognizing the potential issues with the video, calling it a "team kill." They also expressed concern that the video exposed the character of Korean dancers on an international stage, labeling it an "international embarrassment."

The controversy has reportedly dampened BUMSUP's rising popularity. A video of their 'Mecha Crew Mission,' uploaded on October 18, was praised as an "unprecedented performance," surpassing 10 million views in just three days. The team, led by director Honey J, received widespread acclaim.

Hyojin Choi has since made the controversial video private but has yet to address her lack of judgment or issue an apology. As criticism continues to mount, all eyes are on whether she will acknowledge the public's concerns and offer a formal apology.

Reported by Dayeon Jung, TenAsia light@tenasia.co.kr