Many stepped in to defend the idol.
1 hour ago
SEVENTEEN member Hoshi is currently facing scathing criticism online after a candid video of him from a wedding event resurfaced on X (formerly Twitter).
Hoshi | @ho5hi_kwon/Instagram
In the resurfaced clip, Hoshi can be seen with a child sitting on his lap. He then covers the child’s face with his hands and plants a peck on his hand, thus indirectly “kissing” them.
Since the video was deleted https://t.co/4UUSHmZKvi pic.twitter.com/3UpoR3vQX6
— KpopInsider (@KpopInside4rdi) February 7, 2026
The footage has invited some fierce reactions from netizens, who found Hoshi’s behavior questionable. Some even went to the extent of accusing him of pedophilia.
why would you do that to a child you sick fuck https://t.co/td6KDSIWah pic.twitter.com/7TatxGqoWL
— nya is N✭T CUTE ANYMO✭RE (IA) (@wonheecheeks) February 8, 2026
i know i was never wrong when i said korea is full of pedophiles https://t.co/her7gMCRP8
— mint (@mintkyutie) February 8, 2026
carats in the qrts saying “he put a hand over her lips” as if that makes it any better. he shouldn’t be doing that to a kid wtf https://t.co/zRz1fsy331
— mari (@mikrocosmosis) February 8, 2026
Fan wars aside, this is genuinely weird and uncomfortable to watch. https://t.co/LMgOYXzFUT
— isa (@solmerv) February 8, 2026
However, many stepped in to defend the idol. A user who claimed to be at the event and witness Hoshi’s interaction with the child in person stated that he was, in fact, very kind and gentle with the child. They labeled this controversy as a misunderstanding.
타팬이긴 하지만.. 그 현장에 있었던 사람으로서 남자 애기랑 놀아주는 장면을 직접 봤어요. 연예인이 너무 다정하게 아기랑 놀아주길래 신기했구요 참 좋은 사람이구나 싶었어요. 이렇게 오해를 받다니 너무 속상하네요. 다들 지인 애기 보면 귀여워하시잖아요 딱 그 정도 수준이였어요.
(사진 인증) https://t.co/9urQgVtqFw pic.twitter.com/RMBuE9YKVd
— 왈왈 (@ppukkuppang219) February 8, 2026
Although I’m not a fan of that group, I was there and saw the scene where he was playing with the little boy. I was surprised to see a celebrity being so kind and playful with a baby, and I thought he was a really nice person. It’s so upsetting that he’s being misunderstood like this. Everyone finds other people’s babies cute, right? It was just that kind of interaction.
(Photo verification)
— The tweet above
Fans also pointed out that the clip was intentionally slowed down to manipulate viewers’ perception, whereas in real life, it was an affectionate interaction while the child’s parents were present. Lastly, many flagged how twisting a serious topic like pedophilia to fuel online fan wars was beyond disgraceful.
By the way calling Hoshi, or any idol for the matter, Epstein etc is highly fucking insensitive and disgusting. That is a cannibalistic rapist who disemboweled literally babies and ate their feces, trafficked women, babies, and children. Fuck you if you do this.
— hao (semi hiatus) (@verhaoism) February 7, 2026
as a victim of CSA myself, it sickens me to see how many people are using that clip of hoshi to spread allegations about him. also comparing it to the epstein situation is DISGUSTING. these are not things you can carelessly bring into things as trivial as fanwars.
— ateez yaoi connoisseur (@horangquette) February 7, 2026
Stop sexualizing a CHILD just to fuel your fan wars. If you were appalled by that innocent photo, that says more about your putrid way of thinking than anything else. Tangina naman. Tantanan niyo na yung bata at si Hoshi.
There was absolutely nothing sexual about that photo. It…
— 니키 🐯✨ (@neomukawaii) February 8, 2026
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