The Siwon Storm: Super Junior Rocked by Fan Outcry and Internal Discord Over Controversial Tribute

Super Junior member Choi Siwon finds himself at the epicenter of a furious storm, facing an overwhelming wave of fan backlash and fervent calls for his immediate exit from the iconic K-Pop group. The controversy ignited after Siwon posted a tribute to conservative American political commentator Charlie Kirk, a figure widely known for his polarizing views on a range of social issues.

This seemingly innocuous social media post has not only inflamed the international K-Pop community but also sparked intense speculation about an internal rift within Super Junior itself, further fueled by leader Leeteuk’s conspicuous Instagram unfollow.

The tribute, which saw Siwon sharing Kirk’s recent book and praising his ‘wisdom,’ quickly drew the ire of fans who are acutely aware of Kirk’s contentious stance on LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, the Black Lives Matter movement, and his history of spreading COVID-19 misinformation.

For many, Siwon’s endorsement of such a figure was not merely a personal opinion but a blatant disregard for the values cherished by a significant portion of the global K-Pop fandom, which often champions inclusivity and social justice. The hashtag “#SiwonOut” immediately began trending worldwide, with fans demanding that SM Entertainment and Label SJ take action, advocating for Super Junior to continue as an eight-member group, excluding Siwon.

Adding fuel to the already raging fire, eagle-eyed fans noticed that Super Junior’s leader, Leeteuk, had unfollowed Siwon on Instagram.

This digital distancing act sent shockwaves through the fandom, igniting rampant rumors of deep-seated disagreements and internal tension within the group. While no official statement has been released, the unfollow, combined with other members like Eunhyuk, Donghae, and Ryeowook reportedly having either unfollowed Siwon or maintaining a noticeable silence, paints a vivid picture of potential discord.

For a group renowned for its long-standing camaraderie, such public displays of detachment are highly unusual and deeply concerning for ELFs (Super Junior’s official fandom).

This is not Siwon’s first brush with controversy. In 2021, he faced significant backlash for liking a tweet from an anti-LGBTQ+ politician, an incident that prompted a public apology but left many fans wary.

Prior to that, in 2017, a tragic incident involving his family dog, which bit and killed a neighbor, led to a public apology from both Siwon and his family. These past events contribute to the current heightened scrutiny, with many fans feeling that Siwon has repeatedly failed to learn from his mistakes or understand the impact of his actions on a global fanbase.

The Super Junior fandom finds itself deeply divided.

While some ELFs continue to defend Siwon, urging others to respect his personal beliefs, a vocal and growing segment insists that his repeated controversial actions are irreconcilable with the group’s image and their own values. They argue that an idol’s public platform comes with a responsibility, especially when endorsing figures whose views are seen as harmful or discriminatory.

The future of Choi Siwon within Super Junior, and indeed the internal harmony of the group, now hangs precariously in the balance as fans await a response from the artist or his agency amidst the growing chorus of condemnation.