KATSEYE’s Yoonchae Triggers Criticism With Reaction To A Question About “Gays” At VMAs

KATSEYE‘s Yoonchae has triggered criticism with her reaction to a question about “Gays” at the 2025 VMAs.

KATSEYE’s Yoonchae | @y0on_cha3/Instagram

While some Koreans have more traditional views on the topic of sexuality, more idols are coming out as LGBTQ+, and that includes Lara and Megan from KATSEYE.

Every Idol That Has Come Out As LGBTQIA+ Themselves

On September 7 (local time), KATSEYE attended the 2024 VMAs, winning an award and also performing their track “Gnarly.”

🌟 | #KATSEYE performs "GNARLY" at the #VMAs pic.twitter.com/MX6a3RFIHq

— EYEKONS WORLD (@eyekonsworld) September 7, 2025

KATSEYE’S #VMAs ACCEPTANCE SPEECH pic.twitter.com/bDv554eVIg

— max (@gnarlyseul) September 8, 2025

While on the red carpet, the interviewer asked the KATSEYE members for a message for the gays, and they responded with “We love the gays,” but netizens noticed that Yoonchae didn’t say anything.

KATSEYE SAYING THEY LOVE THE GAYS 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ox3mQP3Ms3

— rin 𐙚 (@mycatzeye) September 8, 2025

Many fans criticized the idol’s response, with some even alluding to allegations of Yoonchae being homophobic.

yoonchae staying quiet oh yoonbigot we got your tea https://t.co/mkz79igZzj pic.twitter.com/RY0ZBDLl6W

— compulsive liars anonymous (@solanahive) September 8, 2025

yoonchae https://t.co/IdrvTF7cJX pic.twitter.com/ItF0orFIUq

— kia (@cunttete) September 8, 2025

yoonchae: pic.twitter.com/fVAxBU0dMh https://t.co/aGra7ysIDD

— marcus (@tarantaduran) September 8, 2025

Well it doesn’t seem like they ALL love the gays.. https://t.co/5z8mLKKdK6

— Brandon 🌹🌱🇺🇸🇺🇦🇵🇸🇽🇰🇦🇲🇲🇲🇪🇭 (@12thCDM) September 8, 2025

yoonchae never beating the koreans are homophobic statement HDIFKFKKDKSK https://t.co/vodM9sZZni

— ch (@Apostoool) September 8, 2025

Oh, I know Yoonchae was saying the nastiest slur in her head 😭 https://t.co/AA9dUVhlMy pic.twitter.com/Gil8XVGCWT

— BLACK BARBIE🐇🐰 (@NEPO_BARBIE) September 8, 2025

Yet many fans defended the idol, saying that she probably didn’t understand the question or what was being asked of her.

yoonchae thinking thegays is the new hybe group

— hammer // (@lordeshammer) September 8, 2025

Chill on yoonchip yall she might not have understood the question. English isn’t her first language

— Britain| katseye i love you (@Badazzbritain) September 8, 2025

It’s so funny to me when people try to start homophobic allegations on any of them when they are literally one of the groups that (EVERY MEMBER) openly support the lgbt+ community the most, not to mention TWO OF THEM ARE PART OF THE LGBT+ COMMUNITY https://t.co/1PfcH300oS

— Stfp (@Plzdontaka) September 8, 2025

I’m Yoonchae in my friend group sometimes I feel like they’re way too fast or maybe I’m just too slow lol so I just smile and say YASS to whatever they’re saying together, or I just scream lmao 😭 (They’re American, I’m not haha)

— flrb (@fxkj154) September 8, 2025

The clip has over one million views and 36,000 likes.