The two incidents happened 8 years apart.
Koreaboo
1 hour ago
Fans are feeling déjà vu as rookie HYBE idol TUIDE’s Seoyeon faces the exact same controversy as her older sister, TWICE’s Jihyo, did several years ago.
| @_zyozyo/Instagram
Less than two weeks after TUIDE’s official debut, both Seoyeon and fellow member Jia are facing major backlash for their styling on this week’s Inkigayo.
HYBE’s New Girl Group Already Embroiled In Racist Controversy
Along with Baby DONT Cry’s Yihyun, the pair have been accused of cultural appropriation after wearing outfits that appear to be based on Native American culture.
now why the mcs of inkigayo dressed like native americans?? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/xnLwtLMsll
— saba (@yazzsss) September 6, 2026
To many, the storm surrounding the fifth-gen idols feels eerily similar to a past controversy involving Seoyeon’s own sister, Jihyo. Back in 2018, Jihyo also came under fire for wearing a Native American “costume” to TWICE’s ONCE Halloween fanmeeting.
The idol introduced herself as “Indian Jihyo” and told fans she had chosen the costume after her skin had become tanned; later during the event, she was seen imitating a Native American war cry.
Twice Jihyo cont.
-Mocked/Initated Native American war cry pic.twitter.com/3TIznecYsa
— Kpop Receipts (@Kpop_Receiptz) October 28, 2018
Despite happening eight years apart, fans quickly connected the two moments. The core criticism remains the same for both scenarios, with numerous netizens slamming the idols for cultural appropriation and racist mockery.
it’s an homage to jihyo their senior pic.twitter.com/5nzJWNO4dn
— 🪽 (@knowaboutliz) September 6, 2026
following in her big sis footsteps🧘♀️💕 pic.twitter.com/Z0UQPlbUgy
— zena bena🤍 SACHANISNOW (@seungsauce) September 6, 2026
the apple does not fall far from the tree i see…
— 𝒊’𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒚🐥 (@fhjtdhg) September 6, 2026
At the time of the TWICE star’s controversy, neither Jihyo nor JYP Entertainment ever apologized or publicly acknowledged the incident. HYBE and TUIDE’s sub-label ABD have also yet to comment.
TWICE