ILLIT’s Wonhee Draws Sharp Comparison to NewJeans’ Minji Following Recent Public Appearance
Wonhee of ILLIT is facing backlash after her recent appearance at a Chanel event sparked heated comparisons with NewJeans’ Minji.
The controversy began when Wonhee attended the Métiers d’Art 2026 Chanel fashion show, marking her first major Chanel event. Fans quickly noticed that Minji had made her Chanel debut earlier, at the Spring–Summer 2024 Haute Couture Show in Paris, around the same age.
Soon after, a viral post on Nate Pann compared the two idols’ Chanel looks, claiming Wonhee made Minji’s Chanel appearance look “legendary” in hindsight. This sparked a flood of comments, many favoring Wonhee and even making harsh remarks about Minji.
“You should compare things that are actually comparable—they’re on completely different levels lol.”
“Honestly, right from the start, the two of them aren’t even in the same league when it comes to looks.”
“If Minji had been there, would Wonhee have gotten the chance to do Chanel?”
“I didn’t particularly think Minji suited it either, but comparing them like this, she looks like an angel.”
“She’s a princess.”
Fans quickly reacted with mixed opinions. While some piled on Wonhee, others defended her, criticizing the unnecessary rivalry between two young women.
As the situation unfolded, netizens debated the fairness of comparing Wonhee and Minji, emphasizing the problematic nature of such comparisons.
The buzz around Wonhee’s Chanel debut shows how high the stakes are for K-pop idols stepping into the fashion world, especially when compared to established stars like Minji.