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ILLIT Gets Flamed Over “2025 Melon Music Awards” Acceptance Speech

By Serah S. Cherrie | Updated on 2025-12-21 23:54:26

Girl group ILLIT has been subjected to some unexpected criticism after their 2025 Melon Music Awards win.

On December 21, KST, ILLIT attended the Melon Music Awards ceremony and took home the Best Performance Award (female).

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While the win itself became a heated debate, the acceptance speech delivered by ILLIT also unexpectedly became a major discussion, specifically the mention of HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk.

In the past few months, Bang has become a majorly polarizing figure in the K-Pop community thanks to the many controversies involving his company and his alleged financial crimes that are currently under investigation. So, when ILLIT’s leader, Yunah, mentioned his name while thanking all the HYBE team members during their award acceptance speech, it was taken to be more than just a simple shoutout.

Critics came down heavy on the group for mentioning Bang, arguing that it was a problematic move. Some also compared them to HYBE labelmates, BOYNEXTDOOR, who also won an award on the same night but didn’t mention the founder in their speech.

Them thanking a man who is currently under intensive investigation for alleged stock fraud and unfair trading, but y'all swear they're innocent? https://t.co/Cmpfl416wD

— !? (@meowlloud) December 20, 2025

i understand they wanna thank him, but i genuinely don’t think rn was the best time to do that.. even bnd didnt.. https://t.co/UZa6PdZdoy

— saint (@saintvkz) December 20, 2025

thanking a man who’s currently being criminally investigated by 5 different authorities lmfao embarrassing minions with no shame https://t.co/Bd14y1Eqzp

— 🫥 (@njzhoney) December 20, 2025

However, many defended ILLIT, saying that they were simply thanking the people who worked on their music, just like any other idol group would in their position.

crying the quotes are acting like they just bootlicked tf out of him

like yes thats their company and ceo ?? the reason why they even exist as a group ????? be serious https://t.co/f7rI4rlF9F

— nikomeii 𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ (@CH1UNIKO) December 20, 2025

honestly i don't think it's fair to judge them for it. most artists are forced to thank their ceo and company especially when they are rookies.
it's always fuck bsh and hybe, these young girls have nothing to do with their wrong doings. https://t.co/AFWEnAVB9z

— d (@hug4taro) December 20, 2025

That makes sense, because ILLIT's producer is Bang Sihyuk, but BOYNEXTDOOR's producer is ZICO. https://t.co/sDx0bvcRrg

— 細麺少年団🍝 (@pdsjk5) December 20, 2025

Illit’s new crime: thank the person who produces their song https://t.co/L3wU4kxj5Q

— mokafeྀི💕 (@Super0722939387) December 20, 2025

Some also pointed out that this whole criticism was probably completely unfounded, since the person Yunah mentioned was not “Si Hyuk-nim” but “Si Young-nim.”

we watching the same video right? Yunah said siyoung not sihyuk, i know donkies are totally dumb but a thousand likes for this shit? And you telling donkies not trying to make smear campaign towards illit?💀 https://t.co/jBSccNJQyQ

— heeya is NOT CUTE ANYMORE *ੈ✩ (@bubleemin) December 21, 2025

ILLIT, however, isn’t the first HYBE group to receive backlash for mentioning Bang Si Hyuk in their speech. Recently, ENHYPEN also faced a similar ordeal. Read more about it here:

ENHYPEN Sparks Fierce Reactions With Their “2025 MAMAs” Speech

Controversial Idol’s Appearance On ILLIT Minju’s Show Sparks Heavily Divided Reactions

IU Responds To ILLIT Wonhee’s Cover Of “Good Day”

ILLIT Wonhee’s Cover Of IU’s “Good Day” Heavily Divides The Internet

BTS, LE SSERAFIM, And ILLIT’s Immediate Action Following NJZ Danielle’s Removal Raises Eyebrows

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