This isn’t the first time a celebrity has belittled the group.
Koreaboo
Recently, Aaron Yan, a member of Fahrenheit, caused a stir online regarding his opinion on virtual idols.
In a recent Threads post, he felt AI would take over most of the labor and work soon.
Aaron Yan: “AI machinery will take over most labor and service-based work in the near future. It really won’t take long~ ”
Threads User: “Male idols won’t be replaced.”
Aaron Yan: “Please look up PLAVE.”
When fans began defending virtual idol group PLAVE, stating that real people were behind them, Aaron hit back with a response.
Fan: “Aaron actually knows PLAVE!!! To us, PLAVE is like sunlight that you can block out. The most important point is that there are real people behind them; they’re not AI.”
Aaron: “I know……………………….”
Fan: “Your response could make other people think PLAVE is AI. We’ve been working so hard to make the public not think that the PLAVE members are robots.”
Aaron: “As diehard fans of PLAVE, you guys shouldn’t be picking fights since MAMA. You’re negatively affecting the public’s view on them. You guys are stanning virtual idols not because you’re ahead of the times. Virtual idols were made by people from the last generation! There are motion capture filming sites that took 60 million TWD to build but selling cheap for 3 million TWD now!”
Aaron Yan: “I always promote PLAVE to those who don’t know them. I never thought their fans are like this.”
Fan: “Thank you for the promotion. However, I think the majority of fans are very polite in wanting you to correct what you said. To put it more bluntly, we don’t need your ‘precious’ recommendation.”
Aaron Yan: “Right, right, right. So many people don’t! know! PLAVE in Taiwan.”
Fan: “Thank you very much for your promotion (sincerely). But I don’t think we need to be thankful for your recommendation? It’s fine if people don’t know. We believe they’ll become well-known in Taiwan using their own methods.”
Aaron Yan: “I don’t need you to be grateful. I just want you to know that it’s not that I don’t know PLAVE.”
Fan: “Our point is not whether you know them. It’s on the fact that what you said could mislead others.”
Aaron Yan: “Let me tell you what today’s point is, okay? It’s that narrow-minded people see everything else as negative. Open-minded people are able to accept other thoughts! You feel offended only because you think everyone is discriminating against PLAVE. Sorry, but I like them, so it’s not possible that I’m talking about them like that!”
Fan: “The point is, if someone reads your post and responses, it’s normal to misunderstand. Some of your fans still think they’re AI. Also, I think you’re rude towards us fans. This has nothing to do with being narrow-minded. It’s difficult to accept your response. To be honest, your follow-up responses are what’s offensive.”
Aaron Yan: “Sorry, but my fans are diligent.”
Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time PLAVE has received a negative response from celebrities.
Previously, comedian and TV personality Kim Shin Young faced backlash after belittling virtual idols while hosting a radio show.
Popular Comedian Faces Backlash For Belittling Virtual Idols