Former I-LAND Trainee Criticized for Using Cigarettes to Craft “Bad Boy” Persona

Kyu, a former I-LAND contestant and solo artist, is under fire for allegedly crafting a “bad boy” image after a video from May 25 went viral. The clip shows Kyu at a fan-signing event holding an unlit cigarette in his mouth while engaging with fans, sparking widespread criticism and heated debates online.

Although Kyu had previously featured smoking in his debut single Tempo music video and on social media, many netizens saw the cigarette at the fan event as a performative prop to shape his public persona. Critics argued that this attempt to appear rebellious felt forced, inappropriate, and inauthentic—especially for an artist still early in his solo career.

Comments from netizens reflected frustration, with some mocking the concept and comparing it to desperate attempts by young entertainers trying to shed a childish image:

• Smoking is this boy’s entire concept; it isn’t cool, we are tired.
• He wants to be ‘edited’ so badly.
• He’s like Disney/Nick actors trying to break from their childish image in the most ridiculous ways.

The original uploader of the video clarified that the cigarette was a gift from a fan and not part of a planned concept. They also noted that Kyu never lit the cigarette due to safety concerns and Japan’s strict no-smoking regulations in public spaces. Despite this explanation, the public response remained mostly negative, with many mocking Kyu’s seemingly contrived attempt to appear edgy.

This latest controversy adds to previous scrutiny surrounding Kyu, who faced criticism for comments about I-LAND and for engaging with former LE SSERAFIM member Kim Garam’s Instagram post, a move that reignited debates due to Garam’s own past controversies.

As online discussions continue across social media and forums, Kyu’s emerging solo career is now at the center of wider conversations about authenticity, image crafting, and public perception in the K-pop industry.