Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Hearts2Hearts members apologize after Afro-wig backlash over Japanese show
There is a K-pop group called Hearts2Hearts, which is a group of singers from South Korea.
They went on a comedy show in Japan and wore big curly wigs.
Those wigs look like what some Black people's hair naturally looks like.
While wearing them, the group did a dance that made people think of the famous singer Michael Jackson.
When the video went online, some people were upset about the wigs.
They thought it was not nice to make fun of another culture or people's hair.
Three group members, Jiwoo, Ju Eun and Yeon, said sorry on an app called Weverse.
They said they did not think deeply about it and promised to be more careful.
Some people were happy they said sorry, but others thought the whole thing was too small to get upset about.
The debate shows that people have different opinions about what is respectful.
Hearts2Hearts members Jiwoo, Ju Eun and Yeon wore Afro-style wigs during a comedy segment on a Japanese variety programme.
The group performed a Michael Jackson routine while wearing the wigs, which drew criticism from some overseas fans.
Critics said the wigs could be seen as mocking the appearance and culture of a particular race and were culturally insensitive.
The three members issued individual apologies on Weverse in Korean and English, admitting a lack of deep consideration.
Hearts2Hearts is an eight-member South Korean girl group under SM Entertainment that debuted on February 24, 2025, with the single album The Chase.
- Who
- K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts, particularly members Jiwoo, Ju Eun and Yeon, under agency SM Entertainment.
- What
- The members faced backlash for wearing Afro-style wigs during a Michael Jackson routine on a Japanese variety show and later issued public apologies.
- When
- The controversy began after the Japanese variety show appearance and footage circulated on social media; the apologies followed the criticism.
- Where
- The incident happened on a Japanese variety programme, and the apologies were posted on Weverse.
- Why
- Some viewers said the Afro wigs used as a comedy prop could be seen as mocking the appearance and culture of a particular race.
Critics View the Wigs as Culturally Insensitive
Supporters See the Backlash as Overblown
Use of Afro-style wigs as a comedy prop
Critics View the Wigs as Culturally Insensitive
Critics argue the wigs were a weird stereotype toward Black people, used as joke props, and that the apology should have come from the entire group, the programme and the presenters, not just the members.
Supporters See the Backlash as Overblown
Some commenters dismissed the 'cancellation' as excessive, noting the group was clearly laughing at the attempt to lean at 45 degrees during the routine and that even Michael Jackson's hair did not look like the wig.
- Group
- Hearts2Hearts
- Agency
- SM Entertainment
- Members Who Apologized
- Jiwoo, Ju Eun, Yeon
- Debut Date
- February 24, 2025
- Debut Album
- The Chase
- Apology Platform
- Weverse
- Incident
- Afro-style wigs worn during a Michael Jackson routine on a Japanese variety show
- Recent Honor
- Appointed Youth Drug Prevention Promotion Ambassadors by Korea's Supreme Prosecutor's Office on July 1, 2026