Fans were shocked when group Icon member Barbie announced marriage and pregnancy at the same time; a strong backlash is feared as fans' reactions to the sudden notice diverged.
Barbie posted a long hand letter on her SNS on August 20, and reported the marriage news. Barbie said, "I promised marriage with my loved ones. “I’m happy to have a new family, but I feel more sorry for the fans who are embarrassed by the sudden news,” he said.
Barbie, who apologized for not letting her worry out sooner, repeatedly apologized as if expecting the aftermath of her surprise announcement. Barbie said, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility because I feel like I have put my heart on those who have always helped and supported me in all aspects. I sincerely apologize to those who are hurt by my story or are in great confusion. "
This made Barbie the first Married of Icon members. But some fans were angry that they informed Out of wedlock, not love, at a time when they left Child birth for only a month. Moreover, in the live broadcast of the original web entertainment 'Icon of Taste: One Summer Night' on the day, Barbie showed a playful appearance as usual, so the shock of fans was bigger.
The birth of life is certainly blessed, but as an idol, Barbie has poured cold water on the team activity called Icon. After his debut in 2015 and focusing on overseas activities relatively, Icon, who has been gradually narrowing his domestic position, has been loved by all generations with the title song 'I Loved You' of his regular 2nd album 'Return (RETURN), and has been successful in every album that he announces, such as 'I'm Going to Die' and 'Breaking Way'.
Then it was revealed late in June 2019 that Mamdouh Elsbiay, the leader and producer of the Icon album, had not been investigated by police even after being suspected of smoking cannabis in 2016, and Icon was in the biggest crisis when Mamdouh Elsbiay eventually left the team. Icon, which was reorganized into a six-member system, later filled the gap with the release of his third mini album i DECE (I Dide) and the digital single Why Why.
In particular, Icon appeared on Mnet 'Kingdom: Legendary War', which ended in June, despite his two survival experiences before his debut, and tried to inform the public of the six-member system Icon. It was meaningful in that it showed their own color that was somewhat disappointing in terms of grades but distinguished from other teams.
By the time the wounds of the Mamdouh Elsbiay incident had barely healed, thanks to the passage of time and the efforts of the members, BOBBY's news was that he would become a father this time. At an important point in time to consolidate fandom and release a new album, there is an unexpected variable.
Barbie's move resembles Exo Chen, who also delivered the news of her pregnancy with marriage in a handwritten letter in January last year, and was well-known three months after the official announcement. At the time, there were fans who cheered on Chen's move, but some fans demanded withdrawal and accused Chen's behavior as "selfish."
Idol groups have the speciality of consuming various images together in addition to music and stage, and the image of idols that many people think of is 'youth'. This is why the image of the entire team changes as soon as the modifiers such as 'Married' and 'child father' are added to one member.
“I will be a shameful person to Icon members, fans and parents who have made me the person who needs me in this world,” Barbie said. “I will do my best to make sure that Icon’s activities are not a person,” he said.