[Image from: Allkpop (click the image for the YouTube video)]
Good day everyone.
This is Pop the creator of GFriend Trans. I will not be making an article/comment translation as I usually do. This time I will be expressing my point of view slash "reaction" on Allkpop's (AKP hereinafter) recent "news" of a former idol called "Tina" expressing her disappointment at a certain idol group which she labeled "G".
Before I get to the point, I want to address beforehand that this will not be a commentary on my POV of Allkpop (as some of you probably already know what I think about their website). Rather I will be focusing on my concern that people are jumping to the conclusion that the rude idol group G is GFriend.
Okay, let's do this.
Firstly we need to know what Tina said about idol group G in her video.
To summarize, she said that idol group G is rude because this idol group did not greet her back when it is a custom in Korea that regardless what your position or line of work, be it an idol, a staff member, a senior or a junior, you need to reciprocate the gesture of politeness or else the person will think of you as rude. She also expressed her surprise that other idols think the same way towards idol group G and she heard that idol group G is still being rude.
As a Buddy, it is my instinct to defend GFriend from malicious comments like these so I will be tackling next that GFriend could possibly not the rude idol group G.
Now, the question is what is my problem with RonKim's post? And how did GFriend come into the equation. Here is a screenshot of the post made by RonKim:
► TINA NEVER MENTIONED THAT IT WAS A GIRL GROUP
But you may notice how clever AKP is by putting the blame on people saying that it was probably G-Friend saying that it was a rude girl group when no part in Tina's video mentioned that it was a girl group! She said it is idol group G! Why did RonKim assumed that it was a girl group? I swear, watch it from beginning until the end without skipping. She never mentioned about a girl group! Not even a sound of a female pronoun was used!
Why would you think of GFriend when she never mentioned about G being a girl group? Isn't it unfair for GFriend to be treated like this?!
Considering about what AKP has done in the past, it is natural that we Buddies would be upset that GFriend was involved again in another drama when there is no concrete evidence to put them into the target range in the first place.
► IDOL GROUP "G" IS A SENIOR TO TINA vs GFRIEND AS A JUNIOR TO TINA
Although Tina never really indicated whether G is a senior or a junior group we can assume that G is a senior group because of the following main points:
1) According the Blady Wikipedia entry, Tina entered the group at year 2013 even though Blady as a group debut on May 16, 2011. This is the graph provided in the entry:
Image: You will notice the red box I made to point when Tina came into the group.
2) Their song Blood Type B Girl was released on year 2013 while Come Closer was released on March 2015 and Secret Number was released on July 2015.
3) It is notable that GFriend made their debut on January 16, 2015. Blady (especially Tina) being a senior to GFriend already is enough to debunk those assumptions that GFriend is rude girl group G.
We can say that GFriend is too young as a group for Tina becoming a huge fan of them as Tina stated "I am really big fan of idol group 'G' ..." and she also mentioned that "I was super excited that we will be promoting at the same time with idol group 'G.'"
GFriend was also still considered a rising girl group during the release of Come Closer and Secret Number. Although not impossible but it is more common for a junior group to be a big fan of a senior group. So based on the things I mentioned we can guess that it was during her first song, Blood Type B Girl, that she interacted with rude idol group G.
GFriend only made two cycles of promotions (Season of Glass and Flower Bud) and barely have time to interact with other idols during the time that Blady is actively promoting.
Tina also mentioned that other idols think the same way as her towards girl group G. So how can two cycles of promotions be enough to substantiate the statement that other idols think the same way about idol group G?
► GFRIEND IS FAR FROM BEING DISRESPECTFUL AND RUDE
Seeing people assume that GFriend is that rude idol group, it makes me mad that people are jumping to conclusions without gathering enough information to solidify their claims. Especially that I have been a fan of GFriend since year 2015 and have witnessed how polite and respectful they are towards everybody. They not only bowing while the cameras are rolling but also even during moments that we only have fancams to see them. Yerin was also spotted bowing to the MCs even in the middle of their performance! Eunha gave respect and bowed for each members of an 11-member boy group. And imagine Yuju bowing to a freaking machine?!
To conclude this reaction of mine I just want to give this this link and for you to see it with your own eyes how GFriend is very respectful contrary to what other people thought about them.
I could have talked about this longer but I think the things I mentioned above are more than enough to debunk those comments. Thank you for bearing with my long post. You can also leave a comment if you agree or disagree with what I have said here.
Hate to another group is common in stan culture but it is stupidity to jump on the hate train without trying to find out the truth by yourself. Don't be satisfied with poor secondhand information!
Note: Sources are placed in hyperlinks. I'm no expert at this and is subject for errors, fallacies, inconsistencies and criticism.
Please take out with proper credit. Also don't be afraid to correct me for parts that don't make sense. I would love to read your response.