Korean fans are divided as AKB48, a popular Japanese girl group, is set to join Weverse, a global fan community platform created by South Korea’s HYBE Corporation. The announcement has sparked controversy and heated discussions among Korean netizens.
AKB48’s Weverse Debut Details
(Photo : Twitter)
AKB48’s Weverse Debut Sparks Outrage Among Koreans
AKB48 will officially open their Weverse community on April 27, with direct messaging opening on May 2. The group is preparing for the release of their 61st single, “아무래도 널 좋아해(どうしても君が好きだ).”
📢 61번째 싱글 ‘아무래도 널 좋아해(どうしても君が好きだ)’를 발매하는 걸그룹 AKB48이 위버스를 찾아옵니다. 이제 #AKB48 과 위버스에서 더 가까워져 보세요!💖
💚 4월 27일(목) 12PM (KST) 위버스 커뮤니티 오픈
💞 5월 2일(화) 2PM (KST) 위버스 DM 오픈#위버스 #Weverse#위버스DM #Weverse_DM pic.twitter.com/6BYVln5GAE— Weverse (@weverseofficial) April 25, 2023
Fans will also be able to interact with the group more closely through the platform.
Mixed Reactions from Korean Netizens
The announcement has resulted in varying opinions among Korean fans. Some netizens have expressed their disbelief and shock, questioning the decision to have AKB48 on Weverse. One netizen commented, “Is this for real, am I really living to see AKB48 using Weverse?” while another remarked, “I really can’t imagine this.”
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Others have defended the decision, pointing out that Weverse is already home to many foreign artists and is not exclusively for Korean fans. A supportive netizen argued, “There are already a lot of foreign singers on Weverse, they are just one of many singers on Weverse,” and another added, “Weverse is accepted everywhere in the world, there are also a lot of foreign fans in the platform.”
Debating Weverse’s Purpose and HYBE’s Role
(Photo : Twitter)
AKB48’s Weverse Debut Sparks Outrage Among Koreans
The controversy has also sparked discussions about the platform’s purpose and whether it should be limited to HYBE artists. Some fans have shown confusion, stating, “Isn’t Weverse just for HYBE singers?”
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In contrast, others have highlighted that the platform already hosts many non-HYBE and foreign artists, emphasizing that joining Weverse does not necessarily tie an artist to HYBE. One fan explained, “There are already many foreign and non-HYBE singers on Weverse, and joining Weverse doesn’t mean you’re tied to HYBE.”
Some netizens have also questioned HYBE’s intentions, with a few suggesting that the company’s founder, Bang Si Hyuk, has a strong affinity for Japan. One fan noted, “It’s true that Bang Si Hyuk likes Japan,” and another echoed, “HYBE does really love the Japanese.”
AKB48’s Innovative Approach and Growing Influence Across Asia
AKB48, a renowned Japanese idol girl group, originated in 2005 and has since expanded its roster to comprise more than 130 members as of December 2015. The group, named after Tokyo’s Akihabara district, was established by producer Yasushi Akimoto, who sought to create a group with its own theater, allowing fans to consistently attend live performances. This unique “idols you can meet” concept involves rotating teams that can perform at multiple events simultaneously and participate in “handshake” events for fans to interact with group members. AKB48 has successfully extended this concept to sister groups in China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines, with additional groups planned for South Korea, India, and Vietnam, solidifying its position as the largest idol group in Asia.
AKB48’s upcoming debut on Weverse has generated a wide range of reactions from Korean fans. While some are skeptical and concerned, others see the addition of the Japanese girl group as a natural progression for the global fan community platform. As AKB48 prepares to join Weverse, it remains to be seen how their presence will impact the platform’s dynamics and the sentiments of its users.
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Cassidy Jones wrote this.
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