“Is that really who they are?”
Popular K-Pop idols XLOV have become a hot topic after member Wumuti exposed their old company for forcing a specific image on Hyun.

XLOV recently appeared on the Zach Sang Show.
In the video, Wumuti explained that when they were at their old company with Hyun, the company forced a “masculine” image on the idol as a trainee. Yet, Wumuti added that they didn’t think it was the right image for Hyun, adding, “To me, Hyun has always been gentle, calm, and someone with a really beautiful soul.”
Muti talking about their old company forcing a more “masculine” image onto their gentle Hyun,,, she knew it wasn’t right ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/ivNs5NcqH1
— 💙 I, Nico 🩵 HYUN WEEK (@fuzziiwuzzii_) July 29, 2026
It sparked major sadness and anger among netizens, who were glad that XLOV allowed Hyun to be their true self, but also acknowledged that other idols have exposed companies for trying to force an image or identity onto an idol.
The way they cringe at “manly” Hyun 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/iLDPWPDoDw pic.twitter.com/OtZgcK8wSX
— 💙 I, Nico 🩵 HYUN WEEK (@fuzziiwuzzii_) July 29, 2026
I can’t say it surprises me that a company tried to push that kind of image onto hyun…I’m just glad that all 4 of them are free to be themselves now :’) https://t.co/JUNVsCmuAk
— i,beck ཐི♟️ཋྀ (@goodandevol) July 29, 2026
I knew it, I rmber an idol said their company would assign personalities – unsurprising that they’d try to assign such an image to Hyun 😞 I wonder if thats part of why he left the last company, he was on debut lineup – i can’t imagine having to pretend for rest of your life… https://t.co/LLeDUJZYsh
— Hyun’s left dimple (@shirasagix) July 29, 2026
this kinda makes me sad, i’ve seen the comments about xlov like “oh I hope their company isn’t forcing them to do this 😰” but you’ll never see people care if company might be forcing “masculine” image onto their boy groups https://t.co/cUC5iGBYjE
— uliana makes things / comms open (@38raccoons) July 29, 2026
forcing the tannest one to be aggressive oh im sure https://t.co/mzQ2smDwru
— nick⁷ (@niikjju) July 29, 2026

