Honey J and Aiki Face Backlash Over Inappropriate Comments in Reaction Video

Dancers Honey J (허니제이) and Aiki (아이키) from the popular show Street Woman Fighter (스우파) have found themselves in hot water due to inappropriate remarks made during a YouTube reaction video. Just a day prior, Honey J had received accolades for her performance in the 'Bumjeop' mega crew mission, which was praised as a 'national heritage-level performance,' making the backlash even more shocking for fans.

The controversy erupted on June 21, when a reaction video on the YouTube channel 'Today with Choi Hyo-jin' (오늘도 최효진), run by dancer Hyojin Choi (효진초이), featured Honey J making a disparaging comment about a performance by the Japanese crew Danika, saying, "Hey, is that even dancing?" This statement was met with criticism from viewers who interpreted it as sexual harassment.

Aiki also contributed to the controversy by using offensive language in the same video, further disappointing fans. Following the backlash, both dancers quickly issued apologies.

On June 22, Honey J took to her social media to express her regret, stating, "I deeply apologize to those who were hurt by my careless words and to my supporters for the disappointment and discomfort I caused. My emotional outburst and harsh expressions were thoughtless and inexcusable." She added that she had personally conveyed her apologies to the dancers of the opposing crew and acknowledged her failure to recognize the weight of her words.

Honey J reflected on the incident, saying, "This experience has made me realize how much impact one’s words can have. I will not take any words lightly in the future and will act more cautiously, taking all criticisms to heart."

The disappointment surrounding Honey J's comments is heightened by the fact that just a day earlier, she had celebrated the success of the 'Bumjeop' performance, which had garnered over 11.13 million views on Mnet's official YouTube channel 'The Dance' (더 춤) as of June 21. On June 21, she expressed her gratitude on social media, saying, "Thank you so much for surpassing 10 million views in just three days. I’m glad that many people recognized the meaning I wanted to convey, and your diverse interpretations have deepened the work. I hope for your continued support."

The performance, led by Honey J, was lauded for its innovative direction and structured composition, showcasing new possibilities for K-dance and earning the title of 'national heritage-level choreography.' However, the fallout from the recent comments has left fans feeling disappointed and saddened. In just one day, the dancers went from receiving praise to facing the consequences of their actions, leaving Honey J and Aiki with a heavy lesson to reflect upon.