RESCENE member Woni spoke publicly for the first time about a controversy involving her use of a regional dialect term [1].
The incident highlights the tension between regional linguistic identities and the digital associations of specific words in South Korean online culture. Because certain dialect endings are frequently co-opted by far-right internet communities, innocent usage can lead to severe public backlash for public figures.
Woni addressed the situation in a video uploaded to the YouTube channel 'Kebaksu Original' on April 29, 2026 [1]. The controversy began approximately one month prior to her statement [1]. The issue centered on her use of the word 'museopno,' which Woni said is a natural part of the dialect from her hometown of Geoje in Gyeongsangnam-do [1].
Despite the regional origin of the phrase, the term was flagged by critics as language associated with Ilbe, a far-right online community known for hate speech [1]. Woni said, "I was so scared to suddenly appear in the news" [2].
During the appearance, which included fellow member Minami and host Kim Sun-tae, Woni described the confusion of the situation. She said, "I was flustered because I just used words I normally use" [2]. The singer said that the experience served as a lesson in how her words could be perceived differently by others, regardless of her original intention [1].
Woni concluded her reflection by emphasizing a need for greater caution in her public communication. She said, "I felt that I should be more careful with every single word" [2].
“"I was so scared to suddenly appear in the news"”
This incident underscores the precarious nature of linguistic nuance in the K-pop industry, where the intersection of regional dialects and online political slang can create 'cancel culture' triggers. For idols, the pressure to maintain a neutral, uncontroversial image often means that even authentic regional identities must be scrubbed or monitored to avoid associations with extremist digital subcultures.
