SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu Faces Backlash Over Alcohol Incident at Concert

During a recent concert in Austin, Texas, members of the South Korean boy band SEVENTEEN found themselves at the center of controversy, particularly regarding member Mingyu. The incident occurred when a fan displayed a sign requesting Mingyu to take a shot of alcohol with them. The idol complied, which has since sparked widespread debate over concert etiquette and the perceived favoritism shown by the group towards different regions.

The concert on October 22, 2025, marked the first of two nights in Austin as part of SEVENTEEN’s ongoing tour. Following the alcohol incident, social media erupted with mixed reactions. Some fans expressed their disbelief at Mingyu’s choice to drink on stage, while others defended his actions. A tweet capturing the moment stated, “the shot Mingyu took was in our section i was speechless when I saw him drank it.”

In addition to the immediate backlash regarding alcohol consumption, the incident has fueled ongoing discussions about the treatment of fans in various regions. Many fans from Southeast Asian (SEA) countries have claimed that they face stricter regulations compared to their counterparts in Western nations. They pointed out that prior to the SEA leg of SEVENTEEN’s world tour, Pledis Entertainment, the group’s management company, issued a fan etiquette notice on December 27, 2024, which emphasized rules against stalking and restrictions on gifts.

The timing of this notice, just weeks before the SEA concerts scheduled to start on January 18, 2025, raised eyebrows among fans. They felt it was directed specifically at them, especially after SEVENTEEN members engaged in behaviors, such as hugging fans and accepting gifts, during their concerts in the United States. This discrepancy led some fans to accuse the group and their management of “Western favoritism,” with discussions on social media suggesting that it reflected deeper issues of bias.

Critics of SEVENTEEN have openly called the situation a form of racism, stating that the group seems to prioritize Western audiences over those in Southeast Asia. Comments from fans included, “they don’t even do this much fan service in their home country or other Asian countries,” highlighting a perceived inconsistency in the group’s engagement practices.

On the other side of the debate, some fans defended SEVENTEEN, citing instances where the group has accepted gifts and provided similar fan interactions in SEA countries. Supporters pointed out that the group has not consistently toured in Western nations and emphasized their previous commitments in Asia, which included extensive tours in South Korea and Japan from 2022 to 2024.

As discussions continue, the allegations of favoritism and the debate surrounding concert etiquette highlight the complexities of fan interactions in the global K-pop landscape. While some fans feel overlooked, others see SEVENTEEN’s actions as part of their broader strategy to engage with diverse audiences worldwide.

The impact of this controversy may influence how K-pop idols interact with fans in the future, particularly as they navigate the expectations and cultural differences across various regions. As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen how Pledis Entertainment and SEVENTEEN will address these concerns moving forward.