Korean Show

World of Street Woman Fighter Faces Shadow of Malicious Comments Despite Soaring Popularity

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As Mnet’s World of Street Woman Fighter continues to dominate the non-drama entertainment charts, the show’s soaring popularity has been accompanied by a concerning rise in malicious online commentary. The participants, now nearing the show’s final two episodes, are voicing the emotional toll this backlash is taking.

Marlee, leader of Team MOTIV, took to her personal X account with a heartfelt statement: “What’s been hardest to witness is the public’s gaze toward the many contestants. None of us were mentally prepared to endure such scrutiny. We received no training in media promotion or performance psychology. Responsibility is fine but harassment is not. This doesn’t just apply to how people talk about the contestants, but to anyone engaging online about the show. This is just a show enjoy it.”

MOTIV Marlee Hightower

Marlee also acknowledged that while “constructive criticism has its place,” many online comments are cruel, fueled by one-sided editing and personal bias.

Unlike previous seasons, World of Street Woman Fighter has introduced a national team format, upping the stakes and expanding international interest. With challenges such as the “Under-Dog Pick Battle,” “Class Rank Mission,” and “Mega Crew Mission,” the series has held the No.1 spot in the non-drama category on Good Data Corporation’s Fundex rankings for six consecutive weeks.

Yet this unprecedented exposure has opened contestants up to intense and often misdirected criticism. Viewers have frequently shifted their targets each week, leaving damaging remarks based on edited portrayals rather than the dancers’ full stories.

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In episode 1, AG Squad’s Aaliyah became the focus of backlash after jokingly suggesting that Aiki bought TikTok followers. After Aiki lost their “No Respect” battle, she emotionally admitted, “It felt like my life was invalidated.” This led to a flood of hate comments on Aaliyah’s social media, ultimately forcing her to close her comment section.

Later, RH Tokyo’s leader Riehata faced similar treatment after ranking Honey J as the “worst dancer” during a mission. Despite her reasoning—“There were language barriers and hardships, but perhaps she could have proven herself more through dance”—the emotional impact was strong. Honey J tearfully accepted a 50-point deduction, placing her crew at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Critics of the show’s toxic fandom behavior note that many viewers seem less interested in supporting their favorite teams and more intent on switching allegiances to fuel online drama. Particularly concerning is the vulnerability of international contestants, who often lack legal protections in Korea against cyberbullying.

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Even Team BUMSUP, composed of veteran leaders from season one, has not been spared. Their early underperformance and a past controversy involving inappropriate remarks toward AG Squad led to ongoing public criticism, despite formal apologies.

As World of Street Woman Fighter nears its finale, calls for greater respect and empathy toward all participants are growing louder. Behind the glittering performances lies a need for a more compassionate fan culture—one that honors the dancers’ artistry without turning entertainment into emotional warfare.

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