Vernon of K-Pop group SEVENTEEN went viral after liking an Instagram post that poked fun at expressions commonly used by so-called toxic Korean men. The move drew cheers from fans who saw it as a stand against patriarchal attitudes.
The post Vernon engaged with listed three phrases often tied to "Hannam," a term some women use to call out men displaying toxic masculinity. These included saying "Ye?" when surprised, using "Um" as an exclamation, and repeatedly saying "Aniyo" in one sentence.
Reactions flooded Korean online forums with fans calling the like hilarious and refreshing. Comments ranged from "That reel is so funny, and the fact that he pressed ‘like’ on it is even funnier" to simple bursts of "LMAO."
The activity comes shortly after Vernon released his subunit EP V8 alongside bandmate The8. Supporters praised the idol for openly interacting with content that challenges toxic behavior.