When Starship Entertainment unveiled their new boy group IDID, formed through the high-stakes survival show “Debut’s Plan,” we must have all expected triumph and full-force domination for a new 5th generation K-pop boy group. And the expectation was especially massive after the company successfully created a game-changing trend with KiiiKiii.
But in the weeks following the group’s final lineup reveal, the conversation has dramatically changed. Accusations of favoritism, rigging, and severe misconduct involving a member have ignited one of the most explosive debut controversies in recent K-pop history.
So, what really happened behind the scenes? And why are so many fans calling for change before IDID even sets foot on stage?
IDID Debut Controversy: Unveiling Scandal Behind Starship New K-pop Boy Group
If you thought debuting in K-pop was just about talent and hard work, Starship Entertainment’s new K-pop boy group IDID might force you to think again.
Born from the high-stakes survival show “Debut’s Plan,” IDID was supposed to represent triumph, especially when its very name was a declaration: “I Did It”.
And yet, behind that confident branding, lies a story more tangled than most K-pop debuts dare to reveal. Between heart-wrenching eliminations, suspected vote rigging, and now a rising storm of misconduct allegations, IDID’s formation is as much a case study in how the K-pop machine works… as it is a warning of what happens when that machine breaks down under public scrutiny.
But how exactly did Starship’s new flagship group go from “dream realized” to full-blown controversy in just a matter of weeks?
The Survival That Sparked Suspicion
The promising eight members of IDID: Kim Minjae, Jang Yonghoon, Baek Junhyuk, Park Wonbin, Chu Yoochan, Jeong Semin, Park Junhwan, and Park Seonghyeon, emerged from a grueling eight-month-long competition.
The show promised transparency, global fan participation, and a “drama-free” route to debut. Yet, what fans got instead was one of the most chaotic finales in survival show history.
From the beginning, “Debut’s Plan” struggled with poor viewership despite high production value and Starship’s massive promotional push. Trainees who were heavily featured in pre-show promotions—such as long-time trainee Kim Jiyong—were shockingly cut.
Meanwhile, Park Junhwan, a contestant with limited screen time, the lowest fan vote ranking, and widely perceived lack of readiness, secured a debut spot through a producer board save.
And this is where the issue began. Because the backlash from the public was immediate and incredibly deafening.
Also read IDID complete profile discussion on Kpoppost database.
Starship New K-pop Boy Group IDID Debut Wrapped in Nepotism and Rigging Allegations
Everything started from slightly before the debut of Starship new K-pop boy group IDID from “Debut’s Plan.” The inclusion of Park Junhwan apparently raised massive red flags across fan communities.
Rumors started circulating on the alleged connections between Junhwan’s family and Kakao—the very company distributing Starship’s music. Fans then questioned how a trainee with only five months of preparation, no memorable moments, and minimal fanbase could bypass front-runners like Kyuhyun or Wu Hao.
And so, the suspicion of favoritism quickly mutated into severe public outrage.
By early May 2025, hashtags like #REMOVE_PARKJUNHWAN and #박준환_아이딧탈퇴 were trending globally. Boycott threads flooded social platforms, and wreaths were reportedly placed outside Starship headquarters by Korean fans demanding Junhwan’s removal—a protest that the company allegedly shut down within minutes.
Still, the silence from Starship only fanned the flames.
Scandal & Controversy Changing the Narrative
Then came the deeper scandal, a controversy so severe that even the future is now uncertain for Starship Entertainment’s new K-pop boy group, IDID.
According to screenshots, former classmates accused Park Junhwan of past school violence, misogynistic group chats, and even creating and distributing deepfake images of female peers.
Some posts referenced disturbing remarks allegedly made about rape and stealthing, alongside explicit comments about female acquaitances.
These claims, now compiled and circulated through multiple Reddit forums and X (formerly Twitter) threads, triggered immediate fear among fans—not only for IDID’s image but for the safety of female artists and fans who might interact with the group.
One Reddit post chillingly raised concern about the closeness between Junhwan and the underage members of sister girl group KiiiKiii, managed under the same Starship division. Still, as of May 2025, Starship has made no public statement addressing any of the allegations.
Fan Outcry Turns into a Crisis
Unlike prior scandals that slowly snowballed, this one detonated overnight. Both Korean and international fans have publicly disavowed Junhwan’s inclusion. A growing segment now champions an “OT7” identity—supporting the other seven members while isolating Junhwan entirely.
Screenshots of edited IDID group photos with Junhwan removed, side-by-side comparisons of performance quality, and posts dissecting the board’s rationale have spread across every major platform. The fandom, already fractured by the finale, now teeters on collapse. Hashtags to remove Park Junhwan are trending everywhere. Fans are shouting for his removal
And yet, what’s worse is the company’s silence. Starship’s continued avoidance has only validated fans’ belief that there may be truth to the nepotism and misconduct allegations.
What Happens When the Dream Becomes a Liability?
The scandal has opened a much bigger conversation about accountability in the K-pop industry—especially when survival shows are marketed as “fan-determined” platforms. If a company like Starship, with a history of survival show involvement, can still be accused of manipulating outcomes and failing to vet its trainees, what trust remains between idols, agencies, and fans?
More importantly, what about the other seven members of IDID?
Trainees like Minjae and Wonbin, once celebrated as top picks, now face reputational damage by association. Fans have rallied around them, expressing frustration that their careers may be jeopardized before their debut even begins. Calls for Starship to remove Junhwan—either quietly or publicly—are becoming increasingly desperate.
Starship Entertainment’s New K-pop Boy Group IDID Future Hanging by a Thread
As it stands, IDID has yet to officially debut with original music. Their presence on music shows, including recent performances of “Blooming Crown,” has done little to stabilize their image. In fact, some fans argue that these pre-debut showcases only draw attention to the group’s internal imbalance.
Without transparency or resolution, IDID risks becoming a cautionary tale: a group where survival was real, but scandal became the legacy.
In an industry where image is everything and accountability is often a PR performance, IDID’s next move—especially Starship’s response to the allegations—will determine more than chart rankings. It may decide whether fans choose to believe in the group at all.
Your Thoughts?
Will Starship take responsibility before it’s too late? Or will IDID’s name become another reminder that not all dreams in K-pop are earned—or deserved?
Stay with Kpoppost as we follow this story. Because in this world of glitter and scandal, the truth always finds its way to the surface.
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