Article: [Focus] "They are different, but"... The complicated view of Crayon Pop

Source: MBN via Naver

In the waiting room of KBS's 'Music Bank' on the 26th, the singers are trying out Crayon Pop's dance. This addictive choreography has managed to capture not only their fans but their fellow singers as well. Some idols will even use it as their greeting, jumping up to say hi.

As of the 29th, Crayon Pop's 'Bar Bar Bar' is ranked 4th on Melon's real time chart, 5th on Olleh Music, 4th on Mnet, 2nd on Bugs, and 1st on Naver Music, overtaking B2ST. Considering the usual trend of songs starting at the top and dropping down, it's rare to see an advancement like Crayon Pop's in today's music industry.

One industry insider said, "Normally when a song is ranking this well, there should be a lot more buzz about it but the media and the industry itself are keeping their distance from Crayon Pop." The reason is none other than because of their 'Ilbe' controversy.

Crayon Pop has definitely managed to gain the attention of the music industry with their helmets and unique choreography but one cannot ignore the complicated views that exist towards the group.

Crayon Pop's digital single 'Bar Bar Bar' is on the rise in terms of popularity, attracting dozens of helmet wearing male fans at music programs who shout and dance along to their choreography. Even though it's been a month since the single's release, the song shows no signs of dropping from the charts.

Still, people are reluctant to mention Crayon Pop because of their company CEO's history of posting on Ilbe and the members using distorted terminology from the community board. Some believe the group is using Ilbe for noise marketing while others believe that the CEO is an actual member of the board.

Their CEO had to clarify, "It's true that I was on Ilbe but not everyone uses the board for the same intentions. I use it to gather information on concepts, timing, opinions, and reactions, not to cause a stir or controversies." Crayon Pop also added, "We don't know that site and just used a word we frequently use amongst ourselves."

Despite their clarifications, people are still cautious about being open with any type of interest in Crayon Pop. It's gotten to the point where searching Ilbe will bring up results like 'Ilbeyon Pop', making it difficult for fellow singers, fans, and the media to say outright that they like Crayon Pop.

One such instance happened with 10cm's Kwon Jung Yeol, who uploaded a photo with Crayon Pop on his Facebook with the post "I respect them". Netizens mentioned that Crayon Pop was an Ilbe group, which sparked another controversy. Kwon Jung Yeol replied, "Ah, I feel upset about the Ilbe controversy as well, which is why I deliberated a lot before uploading this picture." Despite his words, netizens continued their criticism until he deleted everything and posted, "I don't use Ilbe. I'm sorry for worrying you."

Still, netizens were relentless with their criticisms, making him leave yet another post on Facebook saying, "It seems I didn't think it through, as I was just excited at having discovered a team with a fun performance. Once again, I have never visited Ilbe, only heard of it. I hope that those who misunderstood me will read this post."

The instance is enough to show what the public thinks of Crayon Pop. There are, however, also voices of people who are calling this a witch hunt.

Despite it all, Crayon Pop continues to attract fans with their unique charms and climb the ladders of popularity, making the views towards them even more complicated. People will acknowledge girl groups with sexy or cute concepts but will go cold towards anyone connected to Ilbe controversies.

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1. [+5,697, -401] If their next concept isn't shocking enough to make me fall backwards in my chair, their popularity will only be short lived.

2. [+4,604, -311] Okay, they did get popular but not because they sing or dance great... which means their popularity is only momentary and will end once the freshness wears off.

3. [+4,469, -484] How can this pathetic group be charting higher than Lee Seung Chul ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

4. [+4,064, -359] Their song's honestly stupid

5. [+3,229, -152] ㅋ I laugh every time I see them because they're just so ridiculous ㅋㅋㅋ

6. [+3,260, -237] I admit their concept is cute and different but... how long do you really expect that concept to work in the music industry

7. [+3,204, -277] They look like a Japanese girl group singing a children's song. Do not like.

8. [+2,837, -242] There are no true singers on music programs

9. [+2,227, -292] They've only been charting high on the charts after their ilbe controversy blew up which means they're riding on Ilbe's backs at the moment

10. [+1,750, -202] You'd think after seeing their stage so many times you'd get used to it but I burst out laughing every time ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

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Article: Kim Hyun Joong "Crayon Pop's choreography is similar to my song... Should I sue" joke

Source: Newsen via Nate

"I'm a ghost senior because I'm not used to being greeted by my juniors. I run away from them. I do watch girl group videos on YouTube. My favorite junior is rookie girl group Crayon Pop. I have a song titled 'Lucky Guy' and the 'Bar Bar Bar' choreography is similar to it. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they copied it. Should I sue them.... (laughter). I'm joking, they're a junior I really like."

1. [+685, -79] Kim Hyun Joong ㅋㅋㅋ I like guys like him who mix in jokes with their words ㅋㅋ He's always been like that and it's funnier because he says it with such a cute face ㅋㅋ Double S is still one team, when are they coming back together? ㅜㅜ I feel bad for the Triple S

2. [+499, -89] I saw him in real life in Gangnam and he's really handsome!! He has an aura that idols these days can't put out ㅋㅋㅋ

3. [+435, -55] I saw it and the choreography really is similar ㅋㅋㅋ

4. [+44, -7] He asked his fans not to send him lunch boxes but him his 60 cent digital songs instead... Really impossible for him to get hate.

5. [+37, -6] This guy's hilarious ㅋㅋ He said he doesn't need lunch boxes and food carts because he can feed himself so just invest 60 cents into his songs instead ㅋㅋㅋ

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Reader request.

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Article: Crayon Pop dashes from 100th to 20th in rank a month into album release

Source: OSEN via Naver

1. [+2,851, -290] They're weird. When I listen to their songs, I feel like I'm becoming mentally challenged.

2. [+1,874, -112] ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I watch them purely because they're hilarious ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

3. [+1,827, -312] Pop Pop Ilbeyon Pop

4. [+1,730, -360] Their dancing is about on par with an elementary school talent show. Their song isn't any better either.

5. [+1,608, -248] I randomly came across their MR removed and they don't even sing...... They should seriously be embarrassed to be performing on the same stage as real singers who work their butts off to get there

6. [+1,499, -394] Well obviously there's some sajaegi work going on here by the company or their composer ㅋ

7. [+1,310, -249] Seems like the Ilbe community is supporting them with all their might ㅋㅋ Even their CEO is on Ilbe, right?

8. [+1,020, -204] The power of Ilbe?

9. [+909, -169] Ilbeyon Pop

10. [+900, -248] Anyone can tell that this is all manipulated

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Article: Crayon Pop's agency clarifies "We joined Ilbe to research girl group information"

Source: Newsen via Nate

1. [+195, -131] You're going to kill your group before you even earn any public recognition...

2. [+183, -100] To think they were members of a community full of nothing but human trash... I wonder how many posts they left talking trash about other people. I can already see the morals of the agency and Crayon Pop.

3. [+169, -94] Who are these nugus? Are we sure this isn't noise marketing?

4. [+42, -28] Don't even kid me, their agency CEO already proved himself to be a regular member of Ilbe. At least Hyosung apologized, this guy just proved himself to be a real member... What more words are needed?

5. [+34, -1] The CEO expressed his gratitude towards Ilbe.... Yeah, no need for more explanations ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

6. [+27, -12] I have no idea if they're intentionally doing noise marketing or trying to turn this into noise marketing now that it's a controversy... I guess it worked either way because now I know who Crayon Pop is.

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Instiz: Crayon Pop's tweet is stirring a controversy right now

Crayon Pop: "You guys know that all of you were nomu nomu (intentional misspelling of very very) cool, right? We were really jealous of your fashion ㅋㅋㅋ Our fans are so cute ♥ Thank you and thank you again ^^ - From Wengchong"

The "nomu nomu" is another Ilbe term that they created in negative connotation to the late president No Mu Hyun. The OP put up several screencaps of "nomu nomu" being used by Ilbe users on Twitter.

Crayon Pop's connection to Ilbe is even further cemented by their CEO's old tweet where he and a member mentions browsing Ilbe:

"A disturbing truth I found out yesterday. While talking to a member.. I started laughing at something she said because I could relate to it... but the atmosphere suddenly turned co~ld.. Apparently, that story was only ever up on Ilbe... so I just quietly asked, 'Isn't Ilbe funny?' and she replied 'The.. the comments are so funny there ㅠㅠㅠ"

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"Uhh.. Crayon Pop is screwed."

"Goodbye."

"Okay, up to Crayon Pop's tweet, I thought maybe there could be a misunderstanding because 'nomu nomu' could've been used just to sound cute... but that CEO basically just proved that he and another member browse Ilbe so that's game over right there."

"Aigoo... Crayon Pop... I feel bad for you guys."

"I would've let it go as them trying to sound cute until the CEO basically outed a member as being an Ilbe user on Twitter."

"They need to clarify this."

"That's not the only tweet the CEO mentions Ilbe in. In another tweet [screencap provided], he says, 'I'd like to thank everyone at DC Gallery and Ilbe for supporting Crayon Pop today...'"

"Oh man, they're screwed ㅠㅠㅠㅠ"

"Their CEO screwed them over... They could've had a chance, too.."

"Farewell..."

"No way, I've been enjoying Crayon Pop lately too ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ"

"Yeah, I've lost any and all interest I ever had in Crayon Pop."

"This wouldn't be as controversial if not for the CEO's tweet... How could they think of talking bad about our dead president like that?"

"Maybe it's noise marketing?"

"So the CEO is an Ilbe user too? Gooooosebumps...."

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