tripleS Faces Music Critic Backlash After Lip-Synced Showcase Leaves Even Fans Disappointed
Rising 5th-generation K-pop girl group TripleS is under intense scrutiny following their ASSEMBLE25 showcase held on May 12. While the event ran smoothly on the surface, post-show reactions—particularly from seasoned music critics—have ignited significant controversy and disappointment. The issue? The entire showcase was lip-synced.
A trending post on Korean online forum TheQoo gathered critiques from industry veterans, most notably music critics Jung Min-jae and Kim Do-heon, who attended the showcase in person and took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their concerns.
Jung Min-jae expressed shock over the absence of live vocals, even for the title track “Are You Alive.”
“They performed three songs, including the title track, and mixed in some fan service. That part was fun. But all three songs were lip-synced. I expected at least one live performance,” he wrote.
마지막 무대였던 타이틀곡마저 립싱크였을 땐 부아가 치밀었다. 제대로 된 라이브 무대 하나 없이 평론가를 뭐하러 초대한 건가. 만약 라이브였는데 내가 착각한 거라면 기꺼이 사과하겠다. 그러나 내 귀에는 멤버들의 라이브가 들리지 않았고, 동행한 다른 평론가들도 마찬가지 의견이었다. pic.twitter.com/EXP5qkjaqm
— 정민재 (@minjae_jung) May 12, 2025
He went further, questioning the very premise of inviting critics to a music showcase that lacked actual live singing.
“Why bring in critics if you’re not going to offer a real musical stage? I was furious when even the title wasn’t performed live. If this had been just for fans, maybe it’d be enough. But this needed sincerity—at least one live song.”
Critic Kim Do-heon echoed similar sentiments, pointing to a deeper issue in the group’s overall presentation.
“tripleS is known for a grand concept and creative ambition under CEO Jaden Jeong, but this showcase lacked cohesion. A group praised for harmony didn’t sing live. Instead of showing unity, they appeared disjointed.”
“A world where trust vanishes isn’t a dream—it’s déjà vu.”
The criticism surrounding TripleS‘s ASSEMBLE25 showcase has prompted frustration and confusion among netizens. Many questioned the logic behind inviting music critics to an event that didn’t feature live singing, while others sympathized with the group—pointing fingers at the agency’s poor planning. Despite the group’s reputation for working hard, the lack of live vocals overshadowed their efforts in the eyes of both critics and fans.
Comments on theqoo:
- What exactly were they inviting people to watch?
- With that many members, they could’ve done a live performance… If they’re not confident, they could’ve at least used a backing track and sung over it.
- Inviting music critics and then lip-syncing? Come on, lol.
- I check in on them occasionally, and like someone said in the comments—because the unit formations and event layouts change so often, it feels like all their time goes into rehearsing that. It’s a shame… It’s not like they don’t practice. If anything, they practice a lot. It’s just sad to see reactions like this. Seems like the agency keeps making weird choices for the artists.
- Why even invite critics to a showcase in the first place…?
The backlash has sparked a broader conversation about authenticity in K-pop performances, especially when music critics are involved. Fans and industry watchers alike are now waiting to see how TripleS and their management will respond.
