NCT WISH, SM Entertainment’s new rookie group, is facing a storm of mixed reactions online — and some fans are wondering if the infamous “SM curse” has struck again.
On Pann, two popular posts are stirring debate. One post suggested that NCT WISH is suffering from the “SM curse,” citing past cases where SM rookie groups faced major backlash soon after debut. The other post brutally criticized the members’ visuals, with some commenters saying they were shocked after seeing close-ups from YouTube videos.
Some of the harshest comments included:
- He looks like a devilish old lady.
- Sion’s head is really big;; I wonder why I didn’t notice. Maybe it’s because the Wish members all have big heads and bad proportions, so it wasn’t noticeable.
- This video makes it even more obvious, haha. Even Wish members are embarrassed by how big and unattractive their heads are, so they keep turning their heads sideways.
- Is Riku in the back really 160 cm? There isn’t a single good-looking member in Wish..
- Yushi also underwent a drastic change and now has a huge chin and square jaw. Seems like the foreign members also go through it, haha.
However, not everyone agreed with the pile-on. Some fans defended the group, saying:
- Criticizing Sion’s face is too much.
- Recently, while browsing the forums, I’ve been wondering if they’re doing well. Netizens are so eager to criticize.
- There are even posts criticizing Sion individually, which isn’t even a controversy, and a lot of Wish content has been posted lately.
- Sion’s article photo looks like this, but before calling someone ugly, maybe you should look in the mirror first.
The debate goes deeper than just looks. Some users pointed out that new SM groups tend to be heavily criticized right after debut — whether for their visuals, skills, or concepts — only to win public favor later through consistent effort and exposure. Others argue that without strong individual star power like their predecessors, NCT WISH may struggle more to carve out their own identity.
Regardless of the noise, it’s clear that NCT WISH’s journey won’t be an easy one. With both heavy criticism and growing curiosity surrounding them, only time will tell whether they can turn the tide and silence the haters or if the so-called “SM curse” will continue to haunt them.
