K-Pop stans should really know how to set their boundaries when it comes to adoring and protecting their favorite idol’s name — especially at times when they get embroiled in false rumors and scandals.
This week on “what’s trending on Twitter under K-Pop”, the hashtags “#lucas_out” and “#ProtectLucas” have been going around and for the same reason: K-Pop stans discussing about the dating scandal and sexual assault allegations against NCT and WayV’s Lucas.
For context: the NCT and WayV rapper and center has been under fire for being involved in alleged gaslighting and sexual assault allegations since August. Four anonymous users revealed that they had dated the idol, where he supposedly cheated, gaslit, and took advantage of them, even reaching a point where he was “leeching” money from them. After the news blew up, SM Entertainment and Lucas each released statements, apologizing for their actions, and for causing an uproar.
Lucas, also known as Wong Yuk-hei, has been on hiatus since then, with SM Entertainment excluding him from NCT’s third full group comeback titled, “NCT 2021 Universe”.
This scandal has divided fans on social media, hence the creation of the two hashtags, “lucas_out” and “ProtectLucas”. Fans created a Twitter space last November 22, 2021, where they talked about Lucas’ situation and the circumstances surrounding it—including the ambiguity of the apology letter written by Lucas himself.
In the Twitter space, fans were holding discussions on how fans defend their idols who have been accused of sexual assault, the boundaries that fans should have when it comes to being fans and having morals, as well as how fans should remember that they are just fans and nothing more.
the people here are only talking about how it’s wrong to defend him!! stop reporting this space. it’s a healthy discussion #lucas_out
— andrea (@1TENLEE0) November 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/yiranika/status/1462802006423179264?s=20
space glitched so i couldn't follow what they're saying anymore but i just hope lc defenders and those who invalidate the hardships of the victims won't have to go through SA too before y'all realize that defending a sexual abuser makes you nothing but an ignorant #lucas_out
— kiko (@meowhendery) November 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/taemn6v6/status/1462701404796063744?s=20
"women support women" until it's against ur fav kpop boy
fuck u #lucasisnotinnocent
— mau (@skzwillknovv) November 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/pagistorya/status/1462663855897997312?s=20
I'm just gonna leave it here because the #LucasLeaveNCT #lucas_out is trending again
1/3 pic.twitter.com/3rgQcvTPVl
— Rie (@sinisintanct_) November 22, 2021
no because this is honestly what's bugging me the most about international fans defending him like how the fuck do you, international fans, the ones who heavily rely on translations, claim to fully grasp the nuances of a language you don't even understand???? #lucas_out
— ً elle 🎭 (@yyanghoIic) November 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/asjlnana/status/1462683231669481473?s=20
most of us try to move forward but theres always be ppl who only find their comfort in patriarchal and misogynistic system 🙂 young girls defend a sa offender and blame the girls. its always "lets focus on the victim, spread love" until their favs #lucas_out
— boobees (@boutahituup) November 22, 2021
its been months the silence speak loud in this issue and for you to be “im still confused is he innocent or not” sa allegations cant be taken lightly and the fact that yall are putting kpop before morals are fucking sick so UNTIL that mf is proven innocent HES OUT #lucas_out
— fran (@mnroeyong) November 22, 2021
Contrary to the Twitter space created for the hashtag “#lucas_out”, some fans are still defending Lucas under the hashtag “ProtectLucas”, while referring to the cyber investigation done by fans which found proof that some of the “evidence” brought up by the victims were manipulated and that their posts had loopholes. Some also used the hashtag to share their sentiments about fans trying to defend their faves “as if their lives depended on it”.
Here is the full investigation that has been going since allegations started. Read the proofs for yourself. LC was framed & is innocent. The full findings have been sent to SM for legal action.#LucasIsInnocent #ProtectLucas #SasaengOut@SMTOWNGLOBAL @WayV_official @dispatchsns pic.twitter.com/t0Kc35H837
— JaeSan ✨Lucas Renegade✨ (@Jae_San_) October 15, 2021
These three hashtags are still trending under Music for about 17 hours now#ProtectLucas #WeLoveYouLucas #LucasBestBoy pic.twitter.com/CzPTP7LbAk
— FOR LUCAS ♡ (@LUMISUNION) November 23, 2021
miss you, hope you have a good day today and stay healthy 💞 comeback stronger lucas! we’re all here #LucasBestBoy#ProtectLucas#LucasWeLoveYou pic.twitter.com/mCSX5fE3Md
— cass (@lucaswongyh) November 23, 2021
Alot of ppl thought we fans defend him bec he is our fav. But because he is innocent. It is so obvious how the evident are false. #LucasBestBoy#ProtectLucas#LucasWeLoveYou pic.twitter.com/Sk6CqE6jmR
— 𝕛𝕦𝕟𝕖's (@june_doyy) November 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/vkthfairy/status/1462824132043849733?s=20
https://twitter.com/ravnnies/status/1462811488977145863?s=20
everyone in this space defending him is a sick ass person #ProtectLucas
— cer (@abtkys) November 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/yeonclubb/status/1462879825329369089?s=20
Others choose to stay neutral regarding the issue, citing the vagueness of Lucas’ apology letter, the lack of facts, and the “innocent until proven guilty” clause.
https://twitter.com/haawaahs/status/1462927088873357312?s=20
not at them saying that you should not be defending him if hyou don't have enough facts. but also hating him without enough facts toohttps://t.co/8vdWj2BNLo
— tea🌱 | saw my dreamies!!! (@melktea_te) November 22, 2021
okay and also we need to wait for the staement! we're not in the place to hate or defend him. we should not defend him! we also should not hate him! okay? get it? okay bye.
— tea🌱 | saw my dreamies!!! (@melktea_te) November 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/MARIAN30594727/status/1462674735809003520?s=20
I'm not gonna judge anything until the entire story is out. Just think that you could potentially ruin Lucas life and career if the allegations turn out to be wrong. F hell. #LUCAS_OUT
— SWEET (@_kim2130) November 22, 2021
Personally speaking, one thing should be evidently clear: we don’t know how our idols are like in real life. Like everyone else, they may show different sides to the people around them and will most definitely show an idealized version of themselves to their fans. Therefore we should hold our favorite idols accountable when they are being accused of something as serious as sexual assault. It is also our moral duty to always believe victims first. It takes a lot of courage to come out with their traumatic experiences, even more so if it had greatly affected their daily life. We are humans first, fans after.
So, in short, in cases like this, we should always think “guilty until proven innocent”. The other way around just gives the accused the power to possibly manipulate and fabricate evidence to use against the defendant.
Protect the victims and hold the accused accountable for all of their misbehavior. That’s part of our duties as fans, got it?
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