It seems like we're a long length from the days when Theo Jang made headlines in the wake of getting criticism from fans over liking a remark on SM Entertainment's "Single's Inferno 4" that depicted his co-star Lee Si An as a "pick me girl."
The phrase is used to allude to a lady who goes out of her way to stand out from the crowd in subtle ways through, for example, their conduct or dressing style.
The incident came to light after an Instagram user revealed that Jang had responded to a hate comment regarding his social media activities. His reaction quickly caught attention as netizens debated whether his response was justified or added fuel to the controversy.
Although the original posts have since been deleted, screenshots of both the hate comment and Jang's reply rapidly circulated online, sparking heated discussions across various platforms.
Many social media users weighed in, with some criticizing the negativity directed at Jang while others questioned his response.
The viral exchange ignited a broader debate about online criticism, celebrity accountability, and the boundaries of social media interactions.
As the conversation continues, opinions remain divided, with some defending Jang's right to respond and others arguing that public figures should be more mindful of their online engagement.
In his explanation, Jang stated, "I get a lot of comments, stories, and messages, and it's 'impossible' to see everything that's being spoken about."
He reiterated further that he did not mean to spread any harm and apologized for liking the comment.
Read more: 'Single's Inferno 4' Lee Si An and Yuk Jun Seo Labeled 'Red Flags' After Controversial Bed Scene
Jang even pointed out that he was friends with another contestant on the show, Yuk Jun Seo (pronounced "Yook Joon See-oh"), and said that he was worried that the ongoing conversation could destroy their friendship.
"I am still good friends with both Si An and Yuk Jun Seo," Jang said. "The discourse going on could ruin that friendship and also that they shouldn't take anger out on others."
On the social media platform Reddit, the controversy sparked heated discussions. Still, some of Jang's fans praised him for admitting a problem existed and promising to avoid similar situations in the future.
Some have argued that it is cruel to make contestants public figures and then subject them to intense scrutiny on social media.
