Former IZ*ONE and Ye-A member Kwon Eunbi has become successful as a solo artist, which has earned her endorsement deals and love calls. She and ASTRO‘s Cha Eunwoo recently appeared in a Sprite commercial together.
Yet, Eunbi’s latest endorsement sparked heated reactions from her fans.
The turn-based RPG mobile game Cat Fantasy‘s Korea social media account teased its new promotional model. Fundoll Games-developed Cat Fantasy markets itself as “saving the world in a cat cafe,” featuring sexy anthropomorphic cats.
<캣 판타지> 홍보 모델 퀴즈!
5월 24일, <캣 판타지>에 매력적인 홍보 모델이 등장합니다~!
과연 누구일까요~?!
관련 키워드를 보고 떠오르는 인물을 댓글로 적어주세요!
<캣 판타지>의 홍보모델은 5월 24일 공개됩니다! 많은 기대 부탁드립니다 ❛‿˂̵✧📆이벤트 기간: 5월 20일 ~ 5월 23일… pic.twitter.com/ZNIEhJelVn
— 캣 판타지 (@CatFantasyKR) May 20, 2024
<Cat Fantasy> promotional model quiz! On May 24th, an attractive promotional model will appear in <Cat Fantasy>! Who could it be?! Look at related keywords and write down the person that comes to mind in the comments! The promotional model for <Cat Fantasy> will be revealed on May 24th! Please look forward to it ❛‿ ˂̵ ✧ Event period: May 20th – May 23rd Event prize: Google gift card 10,000 won (5 people) How to participate in the event: Enter your guess in the comments below the post and you will successfully participate in the event! <Cat Fantasy> scheduled for official release on May 30th Inspector, would you like to go see the cat with me?
— @CatFantasyKR
@woollim_ent dumbass company nobody asked for this. we don’t want eunbi to be associated with this kind of game and we won’t be supporting this collaboration. #FreeEunbi https://t.co/LPOABwD1LS
— Kwon Eunbi Charts (@Eunbi_Charts) May 20, 2024
When Eunbi’s fans recognized that she would be the game’s new model, they expressed their dismay. They trended “FreeEunbi” on X (formerly Twitter), tagging her company, Woollim Entertainment.
@woollim_ent should not forget that idol requires respect and protection. eunbi does not have the right to be treated in this way, giving cooperation with SUCH a game. It’s all sexualization. I just got into this game, damn it, it’s so disgusting, just wtf#FreeEunbi @KWONEUNBI pic.twitter.com/ozo3hq6caD
— yu (@shanniewq) May 20, 2024
no because why do we get eunbi in a shitty waifu mobile game that’s flopping with 20 likes per post on their socials but not getting a comeback??? @woollim_ent you will be dealt with. #FreeEunbi pic.twitter.com/TIMUJnHEI5
— elias ✨ (@cowboyningning) May 20, 2024
Fans raised concerns about Eunbi’s over-sexualization. They find it distasteful to have a woman idol endorse a game that objectifies women.
@woollim_ent we do not want eunbi to be associated with a game where female characters are sexualized for the clout. have some respect on your artists. eunbi has been vocal about wanting to be recognized by her talent and not her physique. #FREEEUNBI https://t.co/7r50QDwVgZ
— vee #flower 🌻 (@ifntoppa) May 20, 2024
can you even imagine what it’s like for a woman to have to model for a game like that? #FreeEunbi @KWONEUNBI @woollim_ent
— yu. (@eunsplace) May 20, 2024
Eunbi’s fans fear that she is not valued and respected for her talent. Since her various WATERBOMB festivals in 2023, the company has continually marketed her based on her physique.
KWON EUNBI: she’s so much more than her body @woollim_ent .
PROTECT YOUR ARTISTS #FREEEUNBI pic.twitter.com/qixeIOwKhh
— yusra FEELS THE POP 🌵 (@IZBASEONE) May 20, 2024
the change in treatment that this company has been giving her since that festival is disgusting. as a woman, she can’t appear once in a bikini (at an event that it makes sense) and you make her entire image come down to just that???#FreeEunbi @woollim_ent @KWONEUNBI
— yu. (@eunsplace) May 20, 2024
They also pointed out Woollim Entertainment’s hypocrisy. Previously, the company promised to take legal action against sexual harassment and protect its artists.
Woolim, who can’t even promote eunbi with propely for her album THIS JUNE yet you can get her as a model for a game that sexualizes women.
What happened to “taking action against sexual harassment” THIS IS SETTING HER UP FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT . @KWONEUNBI #FreeEunbi https://t.co/Gab9eDMgfN pic.twitter.com/LbtsEXbTvS
— yusra FEELS THE POP 🌵 (@IZBASEONE) May 20, 2024
“In the future, we will do our best to protect our artists by actively collecting evidence and self-monitoring for malicious posts, and respond it without mercy if malicious posts keeps discovered in the future.”
?????????????????????????????#FreeEunbi @KWONEUNBI @woollim_ent https://t.co/xYZf9ElidG
— yu. (@eunsplace) May 20, 2024
TAKE CARE OF YOUR ARTISTS AND THEIR IMAGE.@woollim_ent #FreeEunbi
— KWON EUNBI VOTING TEAM ✦ (@kebvotingteam) May 20, 2024
Fans believe Eunbi is too popular and accomplished to resort to such an ill-tasting endorsement deal. They feel that her company is just exploiting her at this point.
Kwon Eunbi named summer queen, one of the most popular up & coming soloists, trending on naver whenever she’s on variety shows, sprite ambassador, music show win,
#3 on billboard world digital song sales chart with her DEBUT.and this is what you do? @woollim_ent #FREEEUNBI pic.twitter.com/IHvhAIwoYp
— yusra FEELS THE POP 🌵 (@IZBASEONE) May 20, 2024
Instead of sending eunbi to different shows where she can showcase her talents u r letting her do a promotion for a game that exploits her physicye?!?!?
WE DON’T WANT THAT #FreeEunbi @woollim_ent
— ✧ June 🐶 (@ayjkcwy) May 20, 2024
It’s safe to say that many of Eunbi’s fans will not be supporting this endorsement.
