Ahyeon, one of the standout members of BABYMONSTER, quickly gained attention for her talent and visuals. However, along with her rising popularity came a series of controversies and rumors following her debut.
Fashion
During the promotion of BABYMONSTER’s mini album BABYMONS7ER in early April 2024, Ahyeon was frequently compared to Jennie (BLACKPINK). After BABYMONSTER posted her birthday video on TikTok on April 11, many netizens on X and Pann commented that Ahyeon’s look with sunglasses and a minimalist outfit reminded them of Jennie’s casual style, even labeling her as “Jennie coded” or a “second Jennie.”
Earlier, at the album showcase on April 3, Korean media directly asked Ahyeon about the nickname “Little Jennie,” showing how this comparison had spread from online communities to mainstream press.
Stage Attitude
During promotions for the track Sheesh (late June–July 2024), discussions on Korean entertainment forums like Theqoo criticized Ahyeon’s stage style as “over-dancing,” claiming she performed “too intensely” and overshadowed other members, disrupting the group’s balance.
On TikTok (often reposted from Korean users), compilation clips comparing her “before and after” performances went viral, with comments like, “You can definitely tell Ahyeon turned down her performance and vocals…” suggesting she toned down her energy after negative feedback. Meanwhile, on Nate Pann, some accused her of “lazy dancing” during one moment at the TMEA awards, although many fans defended her, saying it was just a brief clip taken out of context.
On Reddit (r/kpop_uncensored), however, fans rallied behind her. In posts like “Let’s encourage Ahyeon, she didn’t intentionally overperform”, users pointed out that she had sacrificed much of her childhood for training, worked extremely hard, and simply wanted to prove herself—arguing that her powerful stage presence wasn’t intentional overshadowing and that she just needed time to adjust her style.
Controversial Language
In 2023, Ahyeon sparked backlash when she covered Nicki Minaj’s Feeling Myself at Hanlim Arts High School. During her rap, she said the word “nigga” from the original lyrics—a racially sensitive term tied to a history of discrimination. The clip spread on X and TikTok with tags like “ahyeon n word,” “ahyeon racist,” and “baby monster n word.” Many international fans criticized her harshly, saying that as a fluent English speaker, she should have been aware of the term’s offensive nature.
The debate continued across K-pop forums, Facebook groups, and subreddits like r/kpop and r/kpoprants, with divided opinions: some condemning her, while others argued she was simply repeating the original lyrics without malicious intent. YG Entertainment did not release a statement, and BABYMONSTER’s official accounts continued posting Ahyeon’s promotional content—widely seen as ignoring the controversy.
The incident did not lead to disciplinary action or hinder her career. On January 25, 2024, YG confirmed Ahyeon’s return to the lineup after a hiatus, and she fully participated in BABYMONS7ER promotions with the other six members in March–April 2024.
Health Reasons
In November 2023, YG Entertainment unexpectedly announced that Ahyeon would not join BABYMONSTER’s debut to focus on her health. The news sparked speculation across Korean forums like Nate Pann and Theqoo, as well as on international platforms like Reddit, with many wondering if she was being cut from the final lineup. Some media outlets even ran headlines suggesting she “couldn’t debut” or “left the debut team due to personal reasons.”
In its official statement, YG stressed that Ahyeon was only suspending activities to rest and recover, assuring fans the company would fully support her return. On January 25, 2024, YG confirmed she had recovered and started recording again, confirming she remained part of the group’s future plans.
When BABYMONS7ER was released on April 1, 2024, Ahyeon was present in all promotions, proving the hiatus had been temporary and not a sign of departure as rumors had suggested.
Most controversies surrounding Ahyeon stem from the high expectations and intense public scrutiny placed on her as a rookie. To date, none of these issues have posed any real threat to her position in BABYMONSTER.
