Article: "B.I's withdrawal from drug scandal, Bobby's premarital pregnancy," what happened to iKON?
Source: SBS
Fans are in great shock over iKON's consecutive scandals.
Following B.I's disgraceful withdrawal due to his drug scandal, this time Bobby announced news of his girlfriend's premarital pregnancy and shotgun marriage at the same time.
Fans are in shock over his news and although there are fans cheering for him, most fans are sharing great disappointment over the news.
Idols build their popularity based on the feelings of "similar love" with fans and are able to accumulate enormous wealth because of the fans. Of course idols are human too but they are required to show an attitude that is considerate of fans who are willing to spend money and time to stream their music.
However, news that Bobby who never even revealed he had a girlfriend, suddenly announced that he's getting married and becoming a father within a month, are of course of great shock to fans. Fans wrote, "how could he just tell us he's getting married and in the next breath reveal his girlfriend is going to give birth in less than a month??"
Moreover, during live broadcast of Wavve's original program that day titled, 'iKON of Taste: One Summer Night', Bobby showed a playful side as usual so the fans' shock was even greater.
The reason why fans are even more frustrated is because iKON is struggling to recover after B.I left in June 2019. Although B.I apologized and withdrew from the group, his departure led to iKON's crisis as he was a pivotal member charged with composing and producing iKON's music. As a result his vacancy inevitably left a huge hole in the group.
The group re-organized as six and released a new album and digital single, even promoting on Mnet's 'Kingdom' and fans worked hard to support with the remaining dwindling strength as the fandom had gotten smaller. However, suddenly, news of Bobby's unexpected marriage and premarital pregnancy has given a huge blow to the group and fans are unable to hide their disappointment. Birth of a life is definitely something to be celebrated, however, as an idol, Bobby poured cold water on iKON activities that had barely began to heal from the scars left by B.I's incident.
Fans stated, "Then, wasn't Bobby's girlfriend pregnant when he appeared on Kingdom?" Fans are in great shock and many have begun selling off their iKON merchandise at second-hand markets.
Bobby's shocking announcement is being likened EXO's Chen, who also suddenly announced marriage and childbirth and is still promoting despite fans calling him "selfish," asking him to leave the group.
In addition to music and stage, idol groups are peculiar in the way their images are consumed. When people think of an idol, many think of "youth" and it is for this reason that iKON's image has changed now that one member has the title of "married man" and "baby daddy."
Attention is focused on how iKON will survive this crisis and capture the hearts of fans again.
Additional source: Newsen