SEVENTEEN members S.Coups and Mingyu are facing intense backlash following the announcement of their upcoming appearance on Choiza ROAD, a YouTube variety series hosted by rapper Choiza of Dynamic Duo. What was intended as a light-hearted promotional feature has instead sparked controversy, largely due to Choiza’s past relationship with the late singer and actress Sulli.

Her tragic death has resurfaced in public discourse—especially in light of the recent controversy involving Kim Soo Hyun and the passing of his ex-girlfriend Kim Sae Ron. Both Sulli and Kim Sae Ron have been linked to troubling allegations of exploitation and grooming within the entertainment industry, reigniting conversations about the darker realities faced by young stars.

[17'S]

250530 #최자로드#SEVENTEEN #세븐틴 pic.twitter.com/tOX1is6No6

— 세븐틴(SEVENTEEN) (@pledis_17) May 30, 2025

Choiza dated Sulli from 2013 to 2017, during which their relationship was often in the media spotlight. While some reported the duo knew each other since she was 15 years old. Some say they only started dating once she became of legal age and was 19-years-old. 

In particular, he faced criticism in 2015 for the sexually suggestive lyrics in the Dynamic Duo song Eat Do It Sleep from the album Grand Carnival. 

As someone who still cries every time she talks about her favorite girl, Sulli, I’m sorry, but I cannot support that collaboration.
No matter how much I love SEVENTEEN, I will never support any collaboration involving problematic artists. pic.twitter.com/5Pdf9phC2u

— 🐯🍊🐶🍒🐱 | 🐧 | (@hohoschi) May 30, 2025

Though never confirmed to be directed at Sulli, many interpreted the lyrics as disrespectful, especially when the actress was facing intense public scrutiny. Allegations of emotional manipulation and inappropriate public commentary during their relationship had further fueled negative sentiment toward Choiza over the years. 

Now, years later, SEVENTEEN's planned appearance on Choiza's show has reopened old wounds, with fans questioning the appropriateness of idols associating with a figure still linked to unresolved controversies. 

The backlash has been amplified by the ongoing Kim Soo Hyun–Kim Sae Ron scandal, which has heightened public sensitivity toward celebrity behavior and accountability. Though Sulli and Kim Sae Ron were not known to be personally close, both were linked to actor Kim Soo Hyun through the film Real (2017). 

Recently, Sulli's brother, Choi Da Hee, made a cryptic social media post naming Kim Sae Ron among others, leading to renewed speculation and drawing further attention to the network of relationships tied to Sulli's tragic story. 

In this emotionally charged environment, fans argue that SEVENTEEN's appearance on Choiza ROAD is ill-timed and insensitive. 

The backlash from SEVENTEEN's fandom, known as Carats, has been swift and vocal. While the group recently made a successful return with their album HAPPY BURSTDAY and title track Thunder, fans say the promotional effort is being overshadowed by what they see as a tone-deaf decision. 

Many have taken to social media to call for a boycott of the episode and are urging PLEDIS Entertainment to cancel the appearance altogether. 

Critics stress that idols—especially those with large, young fanbases—should not be associated with controversial figures whose past actions remain a source of pain and division in the K-pop community.

We do not support the horrible doings that Choiza did to Sulli. Both admins are women before anything.

We will not be posting MG and SC on that show. As women, it hurts to see that our fave artists are making content with someone who did awful things to a woman.
Thank you.

— SVT Voting Club⚡️ (@SVT_Voting_Club) May 28, 2025

I always love you but not by coming to an event where men who are mean to women are still living well without guilty pic.twitter.com/Els6h7QfjE

— gyu manis 💖 (@JHTY_mochitrack) May 30, 2025

I strongly urge everyone NOT TO WATCH nor SUPPORT THIS! We can love SEVENTEEN and still speak up when something feels wrong. Support them, but say no to working with problematic figures. Stay informed, respectful, and firm.#Protect_SEVENTEEN #Boycott_Choiza_Road https://t.co/5SoLE7BzXG

— kath_of_tea saw seventeen again🥹 (@VPSunshineKath) May 30, 2025

PROTECT SEVENTEEN AT ALL COST, CANCEL THE COLLABORATION WITH CHOIZA#SVT #MINGYU #SCOUPS #protectthemhybeandpledis pic.twitter.com/T72bnVpaFn

— btsvtxt⋆. 𐙚 ˚ (@kwanboo17) May 29, 2025

While Choiza and Dynamic Duo remain veterans of the Korean music industry, fans believe that entertainment companies must exercise greater caution and cultural awareness when arranging public appearances.     

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