Debate erupted over group RESCENE member Wonyi's so-called "card cutting" content. But as some edited videos spread, criticism that this is a forced smear has continued.
On the 21st, a live video titled "Charmander Pokémon Center visit" was streamed on RESCENE's YouTube channel.
The video showed RESCENE member Wonyi visiting a Pokémon card shop to unbox Pokémon TCG (card game) packs and interact in real time with global fans. During the roughly one-hour live, Wonyi opened Pokémon packs and series boxes, reacted to obtaining ultra-rare cards (such as SARs), tried card sleeve·toploader storage methods, and matched drawn cards with RESCENE members who resemble them.
Wonyi, nicknamed "Charmander" among fans, said she became interested in Pokémon and prepared the content because she likes gacha or card cutting.
While unboxing, the so-called "card cutting," the card shop owner suggested, "There is a box-cutting trend popular in the U.S.," and proposed cutting unopened card packs with scissors. Unlike the usual method of cutting the top so as not to damage the cards, the shop owner's proposed "box-cutting" cuts the pack in the middle, drawing attention for capturing despair reactions when ultra-rare cards appear.
After the shop owner proposed it, Wonyi hesitated, saying, "Shall we try it?" but also "Is it really necessary?" When the owner repeatedly urged her, Wonyi eventually cut one card pack in half. After performing the so-called "half-cut," Wonyi expressed regret because the half-cut pack contained the Charmander card she wanted and other cards that members would like.
Afterwards, Wonyi continued the content by opening card packs normally, but after the broadcast the scene of her "half-cutting" a pack was edited and spread quickly on social media. Some netizens who saw only that scene expressed displeasure, criticizing her for damaging the card pack.
However, netizens who know that Wonyi did not half-cut all the packs and that she did it after repeated persuasion by the owner following considerable hesitation argued that this is not a case of malicious criticism and defended her. They urged others to check the full video and pointed out that the owner repeatedly urged her and that such content had been popular overseas, rebutting the malicious criticism.
This is not the first time RESCENE, including Wonyi, has faced malicious criticism. Earlier, she used the expression "museupno" in a YouTube content and was accused of using a phrase associated with far-right online communities. Later, allegations that she had been a school bully during her school days were raised, but the homeroom teacher stepped forward and the matter ended as a minor incident.
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