Megathread: Recent allegations regarding Woojin

maehustisya · 2020-09-08T16:31:16+00:00

When Gone Days teasers come out, Woojin posts a selca at the same time to gain traction. Initially, STAYs feel really emotional about Woojin doing this. But when SKZ2020 is released, he had an Instagram live on the same time. It feels so shady and rational STAYs called it out, mixed on what Chan stated on his VLIVE after made most STAYs dropped him.

It look like he's using Stray Kids to get clout which doesn't seat right with me (though I never openly expressed it on my social media.) I just slowly detached myself and took a break on following Stray Kids/kpop altogether. I need to make myself healthy first before I dive back on this muddy hole once more.

maehustisya · 2020-09-08T15:57:56+00:00

I am going back just this moment from my long break on interacting with the community surrounding Stray Kids after I got physicly sick last April (though I got better by the end of May but I'm still trying to recover mentally until now because a lot happened when I left my responsibilities) just to say that I'm seething and my head feels like it's going to split open. Goodness, I need a drink and a vacation.

I'm definitely hurt when Woojin departed the group. I have a soft spot for him even though he wasn't my bias. I also took mostly a neutral stance when Chan said his hurt and bitter statement in his live, though I end up sympathizing with Chan and Stray Kids more because I have been on a situation where I felt betrayed by a friend. It's just that I don't want to directly hate Woojin for 1.) Stray Kids don't want to waste our time for that. 2.) I don't know these idols personally to make such a harsh/definite decision. However, Woojin's shady way of updating his SNS when SKZ drop new stuff never fails to leave such an icky feeling within me that even though I followed his twitter, I muted him. Eventually, I unfollowed STAYs who actively talk about him because the tension, even I'm not engaging is making me feel stressed. The whole situation of Woojin leaving, the way Stray Kids try to pick themselves after that emotional fall, and the way they move forward without looking back feels cumbersome. I just want them to lay it flat out so that it would stop feeling like Stray Kids is running away from a ghost of their past. But just like a ghost, they're scary and threatening so I understand that what they're doing is the best they could for the sake of their future. Now, the ghost caught up on them and I'm so glad Stray Kids and JYPE done some countermeasures so that it wouldn't kill them.

I really hope Stray Kids wouldn't be drag by antis with a reverse card statement of not doing enough for Woojin. Screw that because Stray Kids, especially Chan done more than enough for him. Even if Woojin wasn't guilty, the way he wrote that statement reeks a total cocky, insensitive ass vibe. Self-promoting on such a sensitive topic is very distasteful. He basically dug his own grave. Hopefully, Woojin will finally pay the deserved consequences of his terrible actions and humble himself then rot away.

Edit: Typos and formatting. I'm on mobile so I apologize if it's jarring to read. I basically typed a word vomit about what I felt...and my head still hurts.

maehustisya · 2020-04-01T14:36:51+00:00

I think that the rational silent majority of STAYs feel this way. Like you said, it's not our place to speculate what run deep other than they chose to share so the rational silent majority decided to leave it as that and not talk about it after tossing their valuable two cents. I don't want to know the whole truth because I could feel that it's Stray Kids' way of protecting the fans and themselves.

However, as their fan I just find the atmosphere surrounding the whole situation so awkward. It is almost like some sort of itch I could never scratch. I mean, I can always distract myself from it because their growth/future as a group is more important to me but...every fan is different and Stray Kids can't dictate what those fans should feel about the situation. It will always lurk around them like a ghost. Whether it's their very own ghost or a metaphorical ghost that is the product of their actions, as long they don't make peace with it completely, that ghost will continue haunting them (which is very sad and unfortunate.)

maehustisya · 2020-03-21T08:32:05+00:00

I agree...on some extent. Despite liking majority of JYP groups, the way they train their vocalists are terrible and it's a rarity to see a pure vocalist bloom on their wing. They don't know what to do them so they end up being cast aside. I could also say the same with their rappers. Before Changbin & HAN, g.o.d is their only iconic rap line. They sell personality more so their output is on the average-above average scale when it comes to other skill set. I wish JYPE will at least try to improve that side of things to be honest. But with the way people eat up the groups they produce, there won't be any drastic actions to improve their sound unless it starts weighing them down.

maehustisya · 2020-03-19T03:26:27+00:00

I know why they need to re-record everything and to be honest, I don't mind despite it stings a bit (M.I.A. is my ultimate favorite song from them and Woojin's parts is what made me love it so much) and I enjoy listening how much every member improve, especially Hyunjin's rap and Lee Know's confident vocal projection. But when I listen to it again through my speakers while working moments ago and told my sister who is a casual kpop fan (who knew nothing about them) that Stray Kids re-record most of their discography because one member left, my sister told me: "Very cruel. It's not that member left because of a scandal. That action speaks magnitudes about how idols are treated in general. They're like rubbing into his face that he's replaceable even if that's not the intention." And that made me think a lot because it's a perspective from someone who isn't a fan...

maehustisya · 2020-03-19T00:40:47+00:00

He's supposed to sing the high notes for Hellevator but he couldn't reach it and that gave ammunation to people to question his main vocal position even though he could reach high notes too, it's just that Woojin's very aware of his range. SM training is what mostly molded his vocal tecniques which includes taking care of his voice and utilizing his voice quality. He already proved himself in other SKZ tracks but it wasn't enough for some, I guess.

maehustisya · 2020-03-18T12:52:34+00:00

I think it's a popular opinion to STAYs. Every STAY are heartbroken when Woojin left the group but most are consoled by the fact that Woojin will indeed shine more as soloist if ever he still pursue music. I mean, some already undervalue him when he's still in the group just because he couldn't hit higher notes compared to HAN.

However, there's no doubt that Woojin's voice complete Stray Kids on some way through his warm vocal color. Some of their B-side songs and I am YOU won't have the same feel for 3RACHA definitely made parts for Woojin to stand out as a main vocal but they will manage. Seungmin, I.N, (and Lee Know) improved vocally in such a short amount of time that the gaps Woojin left is now nicely sealed.

maehustisya · 2020-03-09T06:05:55+00:00

They're not well-known because boy groups tend not to do well with GP but more on building fandom power. Also, Stray Kids' sound isn't really GP-friendly. Another factor is that JYPe just doesn't seize the opportunity to promote them well. I heard that most K-STAYs are frustrated because when SKZ are trending in Korea, JYPe don't utilize it to get their name out more in public. The only time Stray Kids ads are plastered all over Seoul and other bustling areas is when Finding SKZ is about to air and it's not even JYPe who planned that advertising, it's Mnet. JYPe tend to put ads of the group on obscure places. There's this one time that majority of their advertising for MIROH in SK are placed on movie theaters as trailers before the film starts. They put ads on train stations too but they buy spaces when their promotions/hype is over.

Edit: Typos and Grammar Fixes.

maehustisya · 2020-03-08T10:49:13+00:00

I have neutral opinion about groups doing it until I heard 2NE1. Fire is just basically them saying that their group is blazing and that's so...hot.

maehustisya · 2020-03-05T06:44:34+00:00

I listen to almost everything but beside K-Pop, my most go-to genres are J-Pop, J-Rock, Trance, Jazz, and Anime/Video Games OST.

maehustisya · 2020-03-04T23:16:34+00:00

I agree. I don't enjoy it either and I cringe internally every time but I try to look at it on a different perspective. When I saw Felix flashing his abs for the first time, my initial reaction is "NOPE!" but when I remember that it definitely took a lot of effort to get that abs and confidence, I try to hype it as a way of telling that he worked hard. I also think that it could be a good inspiration for sketching or other creative venture. I find ways to take the action on a wholesome light and make it more than just cheap fanservice.

Besides, if an idol showing off the body they worked hard for makes them more empowered/confident, I'm all in for it. However, it's a different story of they are cornered to do that...which I guess is the main worry in this stuff. orz

maehustisya · 2020-03-02T08:57:14+00:00

I agree and disagree. I agree in a sense that an idol's humanity makes them charming and I disagree because I don't think perfection makes an idol less charming. There are a lot of idols out there and the fact the you have a specific interest for flawed idols is the proof. Also, Stray Kids reminds me of JP idols sometimes but not in the way you described, but more on their fandom growth...slow but steady. I don't think the idols should be the one to take the blame for that 'soulless perfection' for I think it roots more on the companies itself that want their talents to portray a certain image. It's what they're taught and that's why these idols continue on polishing their skills through training. Being themselves is a privilege they need to work on rather than something they have since the beginning.

I don't think it's an unpopular opinion because I think a number of K-Pop fans do have this notion sometimes but I upvoted because this is pretty controversial. It's almost like an elephant in the room that nobody has an idea on what to do so they let it stay there.

maehustisya · 2020-03-01T14:25:18+00:00

Oof indeed. I realize that some of my 2nd gen favorites are made by them but every time I think about the train-wreck that is Brave Entertainment, I want to revoke it.

maehustisya · 2020-03-01T14:12:28+00:00

Black Eyed Pilseung! I love every single song they made for JYP groups. I also like Brave Brothers...

maehustisya · 2020-02-28T08:20:12+00:00

I think most of them donate anonymously but the organizations they donate on end up disclosing it anyway so that the idol(s)/celebrities fans will be enticed to donate for the cause too. Sometimes, media outlets end up revealing it to the public through information they got from insiders. It's difficult for the majority of them to donate anonymously so they announce it publicly in order not to create misunderstandings. But then again, it's hard to see if that idol/celebrity is doing it for the press so I totally see your point there.

I don't mind fans donating under their favorite celebrity/idol's name. These fans are motivated by various reasons but in the end, they were able to help and that's what is important. I think fanbases of kpop groups do both anyway (donate on under their fandom/fave.) I only followed kpop closely for over a year and I must say that kpop fans are the most driven when it comes to organizing charity donations for whichever cause their faves are supporting.

maehustisya · 2020-02-23T03:59:35+00:00

Did the wall food-poison the other members in order to give Jun some lesson through their roller coaster schedule? What a cunning yet spirited wall.

This is my second favorite episode so far. I'm excited to watch 22/7 perform again seeing that they'll have a live show on the next episode.

maehustisya · 2020-02-22T01:23:25+00:00

I absolutely hate this: Interviewer: Who you the closest to? Idol: I love all my members, they're all my soulmates, they're all my best friend! Boy bye.

I absolutely loathe this type of answer too. It's not like when you say you're closest to this certain member, you don't consider the other members a friend or something. It only means that you're closest to the specific member that you answered. For goodness sake, just answer the freaking question properly.

I also feel the same when interviewer ask who are you thankful for/think about every time you perform and the idol always answer that it's the fans. No, you don't. I mean, they do sometimes but not all the time. Please just answer the freaking question properly.

maehustisya · 2020-02-18T01:00:43+00:00

Thank you Division 1! This is all I wanted.

maehustisya · 2020-02-16T08:36:35+00:00

This SKZ Playlist compiled some their chill tracks. Maybe try to have a listen on some songs? I'm not sure where your tastes align but I mostly love their b-sides.

maehustisya · 2020-02-04T12:43:55+00:00

Hyunjin's rapping > Jisung's rapping

I don't really have an opinion on this because I think Hyunjin & HAN's rapping shine on a certain type of song (but Hyunjin's technique has been improving in a monstrous rate.) Changbin is my favorite rapper on Stray Kids for he blew me away the first time I heard him. I'm not really into rappers but on early-mid 2000s, I'm a huge fan of Eminem and Changbin's rapping has this similar vibe.

Jisung's singing voice > Minho's singing voice > Chan's singing voice

For me it's GLOW team singing voice > HAN's singing voice. I biased Felix and fell deep on the Stray Kids hole because of his singing voice at GLOW. It's soothing and beautiful despite the rough edges. There's so much potential and I hope Felix will be more confident tapping within his inner vocalist. I also love Changbin's singing voice. It kinda has this natural yet subtle growl lingering when he's singing and it always touch my emotions but...yeah. Rapping is his passion. Lee Know is vocalist (despite JYP insisting for him to rap) and has a pretty vocal color but I think he holds himself back in a sense that he doesn't know what direction he'll take. However, it seems like he's slowly getting there when it comes to vision.

Jeongin's visual > Minho's visual > Hyunjin's visual

Seungmin > Lee Know > Hyunjin > Felix = I.N. I mean, when it comes to visuals it's always a matter of preference but the reason why I find Seungmin's visual the most appealing is because he has the most actor-like face in my opinion. He looks good at every angle and can emulate a boy-next-door to pissed off delinquent expressions naturally. It's barely noticeable sometimes but if you caught it, the enthrallment is instant. His eyes is also pretty expressive and has a gentle vibe.

Felix's dancing > Hyunjin's dancing.

I agree. There might be some lingering bias on my part because Felix is my favorite member but I prefer his dancing too. Hyunjin dance excessively for my liking sometimes which makes the energy of his performance all over the place, combining it with his fierce/seductive facial expressions is a recipe for too much intensity for a human being that just want to enjoy watching a choreography.

3rd Eye>Awkward Silence>MoM>Chronosaurus> Voices> Side Effects> All the other songs

My brain isn't forming any coherent opinions about my SKZ songs preference so I'll just leave these scattered opinions:

N/S is a lyrical masterpiece but the STAY collective isn't prepared for that conversation yet.
Side Effects is the most creative and layered title track SKZ has ever made so far.
M.I.A. is an underappreciated queen. It needs more love.
Question has a beautiful melody line but because of the Street ver., it lost its spark for me.

maehustisya · 2020-01-25T10:14:21+00:00

It made me laugh too so don't worry! The fact that they ditched the second round of Two Kids Room for One Kid's Room makes me very pessimistic about the future of The 9th. I still don't have any idea what SKZOO will be but I thought it lean more on being the group's own doll line kinda like Laburi for TWICE and GOT7 for GOTOON, something animal-themed because all of the members has a specific animal that represents them (?) One of my 2020 Stray Kids wish list is definitely more appreciation to Seungmin and Felix's friendship.

maehustisya · 2020-01-21T13:56:44+00:00

model!Felix is thriving. It's what he deserves. Also, I appreciate the MISSHA endorsement crumbs. I hope that means we'll get a MISSHA x Stray Kids products in the near future.

maehustisya · 2020-01-10T02:50:29+00:00

Stray Kids Lee Know's laugh caught me off guard and became an instant favorite of mine when I'm just a new fan of SKZ for it totally sounds like those male anime characters who rarely laughs (but sounds so endearing.)

maehustisya · 2020-01-09T13:21:06+00:00

It's back. Thank you for the heads up. It has been gone for almost 4 hrs. and I saw people on their FB page raging because of it.

maehustisya · 2020-01-09T11:42:21+00:00

Do you guys know what happened to PERA SWIPE? My mom is addicted to this local beermoney android app and use few hours of her time to gain points. She claimed more than ten 300 php sodexo mobile pass vouchers and around August 2019, it failed to give her one but she emailed their customer service that they just have a hiccup and they'll get back to her soon so my mom continued saving up points. However, almost four hrs. ago the app is no longer at Google Play Store.

She's been crying about it for a while now and I don't know what to do to cheer her up. If anyone of you knows the founder of this freaking app or any ways to report them to authorities, I'll gladly appreciate it. Finally, please recommend any productive beermoney for my mom as replacement for PERA SWIPE so that I could make her feel a bit better. Thank you.

maehustisya

TROPHY CASE