[Fandom Reaction] “Trying to Replace Karina with Ian?”: HeartS2Hearts Ian 2025 Gayo Daejejeon Special Stage Sparks Massive Controversy

[Fandom Reaction]“Trying to Replace Karina with Ian?”: Ian’s 2025 Gayo Daejejeon Special Stage Sparks Massive Controversy

The anticipation was sky-high when news broke that three of the 5th generation’s top visuals—HEARTS2HEARTS’ Ian, izna’s Bang Jeemin, and ILLIT’s Wonhee—would be coming together for a special collaboration stage at the 2025 MBC Gayo Daejejeon. Fans were buzzing with excitement at the prospect of seeing these three visual powerhouses share one stage.

However, the excitement turned into confusion and frustration for the fans who attended the pre-recording. Instead of the expected collaboration, it was revealed that each idol would perform an individual solo stage. The most controversial moment came during the performance by Ian, who covered “UP,” the iconic solo track by her direct senior, Karina of aespa.

The backlash has been fierce, particularly because “UP” is a song Karina personally wrote the lyrics for and has never even performed on a music broadcast herself. On social media, fans are questioning the agency’s intentions, with many asking, “Are they trying to replace Karina with Ian?” This choice for Ian’s 2025 Gayo Daejejeon special stage has now sparked a heated debate over respect for original artists and their creative contributions.

Fandom Reactions: A Rare Unity Between Domestic and International Fans, feeling SM trys to replace Karina with Ian?

While international and domestic fans often have differing opinions, the controversy surrounding Ian’s performance of “UP” has created a rare consensus. Both sides are expressing deep frustration toward the agency, citing a lack of respect for Karina’s creative ownership and the fans’ long-held desires.

1. International Fans: “A Disrespectful Backfire” On X (formerly Twitter), global fans were quick to criticize the agency for what they perceive as a forced “next Karina” narrative and a blatant disregard for the original artist’s efforts.

• @Ctrlolib: “Mediaplaying #her as Karina 2.0 will only backfire in the end. SM really dgaf abt their artists anymore.” https://x.com/Ctrlolib/status/2004779438031196327?s=20
• @karinashidae: “Fuck your incompetence @SMTOWNGLOBAL. Karina herself doesn’t even got the chance to perform it in music shows or any year-end shows. Why does another idol FROM THE SAME COMPANY can get the chance to perform it but the song owner herself???” https://x.com/karinashidae/status/2004758888772673971?s=20

2. Domestic Fans: “Reaping the Benefits of Someone Else’s Hard Work” Korean fans focused heavily on the emotional labor Karina put into “UP”—from lyrics to choreography—and the irony of a junior performing a stage that fans had begged for all year.

• @aTJZuvzHjfvjNwO: “I get that the song is good and it hit #1 because Karina did so well, but I can’t help but ask ‘Why?’. It’s a solo song the owner herself has never performed, her first solo credit, and a stage she spent so much time perfecting… I have no hard feelings toward the junior, but SM, seriously, eat sh*t.” https://x.com/aTJZuvzHjfvjNwO/status/2004751463831273677?s=20
• @jian_church: “They really had to give a ‘solo song’ from last year—one they know she has deep affection for and wrote the lyrics for—to a junior? A song that was never even promoted on music shows? Truly unbelievable.” https://x.com/jian_church/status/2004774029526475134?s=20
• @ddubapi: “Karina participated in everything for her first solo: lyrics, choreo, outfits, and the stage concept. It was a massive hit on charts and won #1 on music shows, yet they never gave us a stage even when we practically begged for it. But now a junior is doing the ‘UP’ stage instead of our girl? F*ck, is the agency out of their minds? What are they even doing???” https://x.com/ddubapi/status/2004779449238347998?s=20
• @zimaaan411: “The original artist doesn’t even have a single music show fancam lol. I have no ill will toward the junior, I just want to beat SM to death. Do you know how much Karina fans begged for just one ‘UP’ stage on a music show or year-end show all last year? If Karina hadn’t comforted us all year, you guys would have been pelted with eggs by now. Be grateful to her.” https://x.com/zimaaan411/status/2004778767974367458?s=20

A Final Note: Waiting for the Official Broadcast Despite the current storm of criticism, it is important to note that the performance has only been recorded and has not yet officially aired. As the negative buzz is currently based on fan accounts from the pre-recording, public sentiment could potentially shift once the full stage is revealed. Whether the performance will be seen as a respectful tribute or remain a point of contention will likely depend on the quality of the stage and how it is presented during the final broadcast.

Previous article about aespa Karina with Ian or more about the group > [Knetz Reaction] aespa Winter Faces Cold “Silent Treatment” on 2025 Gayo Daejeon Red Carpet