EVAN’s Heeseung Sparks Strong Reactions With Emotional DM To Fans
EVAN is facing backlash after calling fellow HYBE idol Iroha “sunbaenim” in a recent fan message.
The controversy began when EVAN, formerly known as ENHYPEN’s Heeseung, appeared in a TikTok video with ILLIT member Iroha. They danced to the new collaboration track “ICONIC BY MISTAKE,” released with KATSEYE and LE SSERAFIM.
Fans debated EVAN’s dancing skills in the video, but the bigger issue came from his messages to fans. EVAN said Iroha “sunbaenim” helped him film the video and mentioned they recorded more videos together to be released later.
“Iroha-sunbaenim”
— 마르 #RideOrDie (@EVAN01ACE) June 18, 2026
Calling Iroha “sunbaenim,” a title for senior artists, sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans were upset, feeling EVAN was erasing his past as Heeseung and ENHYPEN for a rebrand.
“yeah i dont like this”
— z (@dakrblood) June 18, 2026
“When Yeonjun made his solo debut, he didn’t call any artist ‘sunbaenim’ who made their debut later than TxT, so why does Heeseung has to do this? Why do we need to delete whole 6 year of work… No one deserve this. @BELIFTLAB do your job properly.”
— Aika ♬⋆.˚ | ENHYPEN IS 7 (@Aika_s7) June 18, 2026
“so… heeseung enhypen was just a dream?”
— 𝖒𝖎𝖆 #HEESUNJUNE ︎ (@heevanlysun) June 18, 2026
“putting his entire pussy to this “rebrand” is so funny to me”
— ✸ (@itaewoIf) June 18, 2026
“iroha sunbaenim bang shithyuk i hope youre ready for your funeral”
— hansy •ू♡ (@awhmyseobie) June 18, 2026
Soon after, fans pushed back, explaining EVAN was joking. In Korean entertainment, artists who redebut often joke about seniority titles like “sunbaenim.”
“for everybody’s information, he was just joking!! this is something korean celebrities who redebut joke about. it’s a whole bit ”
— ً (@heeseunger) June 18, 2026
“For anyone who doesn’t know, he was literally joking He even laughed right after that. Y’all take everything way too seriously OMG, some K-pop stans really don’t know how to have fun anymore ”
— N RIDE OR DIE (@evanstarry) June 18, 2026
Fans also found the idea of 18-year-old ILLIT maknae Iroha being “sunbaenim” hilarious, since he’s still new to the industry.
“More context:
He was 100% joking, in korean entertainment as a whole, your year of first debut in the industry matter.”
— wan #RideOrDie (@Heemsterwm1015) June 18, 2026
“The concept of Iroha being sunbaenim ”
— illit gem (@illiesgem) June 18, 2026
“this is frying me be srs ”
— el (@tanphile) June 18, 2026
As the situation unfolded, it’s clear EVAN’s “sunbaenim” comment was a playful nod to Korean entertainment culture, but it still stirred heated debate among fans online.