She’s only 17 years old.
19 minutes ago
The newly debuted girl group UNCHILD‘s latest YouTube content has K-Pop fans shaking.
A viral theqoo post noted that the girl group was seen attending a real-life marine-style boot camp in “Unchild Club,” their YouTube series. What initially appeared to be a lighthearted concept quickly escalated into something far more serious.
UNCHILD | @officialUNCHILD/X
The original poster explained that the members believed they were heading to a travel-style shoot, arriving fully styled and made up. However, upon arrival, they were required to remove all makeup immediately due to military rules and were subjected to strict training conditions.
언차일드 첫자컨으로 해병대캠프감…
교관 자컨용 연기자분일줄알았는데 찐 해병대 캠프였고, 촬영용으로 하루가아니라 ㄹㅇ2박3일 합숙하면서 훈련받고왔고, 군대에선화장금지라 가자마자화장지우고(멤버들은여행자컨인줄알고화장함) 생얼로 얼차려받음.. 신인여자아이돌이왜이리무리해…..ㅜㅜ pic.twitter.com/GvKrk6ngiK
— user (@user404061221) May 1, 2026
UNCHILD went to a marine boot camp for their first self-produced content…
At first I thought the drill instructor was just an actor for the show, but it was a real marine camp. And instead of just filming for a day, they actually stayed there for 2 nights and 3 days and went through training.
Since makeup isn’t allowed in the military, they had to remove it as soon as they arrived (the members had done their makeup thinking it was just a travel-style shoot), and they ended up getting punished/trained barefaced…
Why are they pushing a rookie girl group this hard… 😭
— @user404061221/X
Rather than a short filming schedule, the group allegedly participated in a full 2-night, 3-day live-in camp, undergoing actual drills and disciplinary exercises typically associated with military training.
아니실화야 막내 하은이 울었어..ㅠㅠ
근데 그정도깡따구도없냐고혼남썅 하은이09년생인데방금태어낫는데; 교관존나팸이게뭡니가대체 https://t.co/81uL0AmQlC pic.twitter.com/HQICweQUEO
— user (@user404061221) May 1, 2026
Wtf, is this for real? The youngest, Haeun, even cried… And then she got scolded like, ‘Do you not even have that much guts?’ What the hell. She was born in 2009, she’s basically just a kid… What is this, seriously? The instructor was way too harsh.
— @user404061221/X
The revelation sparked immediate outrage online, with many questioning both the concept and the intent behind it, especially given the group’s rookie status, as well as just how young the members are.
이니이런것좀 쳐시키지마 ㅅㅂ애기들고생하는걸 누가 좋아한다고 https://t.co/HuGTcuqWNR
— 타조 (@ifee1the1ove) May 1, 2026
For the love of god, stop making idols do this kind of sh*t, seriously. Who actually enjoys watching these kids suffer?!
— @ifee1the1ove/X
Criticism quickly poured in, with commenters arguing that the idea felt outdated and exploitative. Several reactions accused the production of catering to a specific audience that would find entertainment in watching young female idols struggle under harsh conditions.
| theqoo
- “Feels like it’s catering to a male audience… like the hannams who enjoy watching young, pretty girls struggle and suffer.”
- “So out of touch.”
- “Out of touch. Don’t make young girls do stuff like that, wtf?”
- “Maybe it’s because people don’t really pay attention to smaller girl groups… Only big agencies get attention.”
- “The production team must be men… probably.”
- “Seriously, so out of touch. This kind of outdated concept—only misogynistic guys who don’t even like idols would enjoy watching young girls suffer like that.”
- “Is the company insane?”
- “Who even likes this kind of content these days…”
- “So out of touch. Female fans are the ones who spend money on girl groups anyway—why make content only guys who don’t spend money would like?”
- “They’re pushing viral marketing like crazy, but why are they putting the girls through this??? Do they not have rights??? Instead of forcing this kind of content, maybe read the room first.”
- “Who is this even targeted at? Only guys who enjoy watching young girls suffer.”
- “Feels like that company is full of those hannams… I feel bad for the girls.”
The backlash also highlighted growing sensitivity around how young idols, particularly rookie girl groups, are treated in content production. Many expressed concern that pushing physically and mentally demanding concepts for shock value or virality crosses a line.
While extreme or “hardship-based” variety concepts were more common in earlier generations of Korean entertainment, fans argue that expectations have shifted significantly—and that such approaches no longer resonate with modern audiences.
| UNCHILD’s YouTube
- “Is the company insane? Do they think this is fun? Even idols with years of experience would get backlash for doing something like this. Why are they making rookies who just debuted yesterday do it? They’re not even athletes who train like this regularly… this is crazy.”
- “Seriously, so out of touch. If you don’t know how to make good content, outsource to a reputable team. What is this? Just 40 minutes of the girls getting tortured? I get that the instructor has to act that way, but I f*cking hate him too.”
- “This was supposed to be their first post-debut trip, and they couldn’t even smile… what are they even doing??”
- “Watching 40 minutes of them being yelled at and crying… this is honestly the first time I’ve seen content like this. It’s not even a proper concept or experience, it’s just not fun at all. I’m already wondering how the next episode will go. Who sends newly debuted girl group members to a real military camp? This is seriously so out of touch.”
- “Please don’t make stuff like this. I just want to see the members smiling, but when Haeun started crying halfway through, it made me really sad too… Instead of this, take them on a trip and let them eat good food. I kept watching hoping something more ‘variety-like’ would happen, but it was just training the whole time… I’ve never seen content like this before.”
As the discussion continues to gain traction, neither the group nor their agency has publicly responded to the controversy.
Watch the full video here: