Rookie girl group Kiiikiii, under Starship Entertainment, recently made their much-anticipated debut and have been actively promoting their debut track on major music shows.
As part of their first broadcast appearance, Kiiikiii gave fans a sneak peek behind the scenes of their experience—showing their excitement, hard work, and a touching encounter with their senior group, IVE.
During one of the recordings, Kiiikiii met Leeseo, a member of IVE and current MC of the music program. The interaction between the two groups was heartwarming, especially when Kiiikiii gifted Leeseo a copy of their debut album along with exclusive merchandise.
The idols even recorded fun TikTok videos together, dancing to each other’s debut songs and celebrating Kiiikiii’s first stage.
But one specific moment from the behind-the-scenes footage has sparked intense debate online.
In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Kiiikiii’s Kya, who is just 14 years old, is seen playing the Pepero game with Leeseo, who recently turned 18.
The Pepero game, once a fun and flirty staple in K-pop’s second and third generations, involves two players eating a chocolate stick from both ends until their lips nearly touch—often used to create lighthearted or “tense” moments between idols.
While the game has nostalgic appeal for some, its inclusion here—between a minor and a legal adult—sparked immediate backlash.
Fans quickly took to social media to criticize the producers behind the video. Though many clarified they hold no ill will toward Leeseo or Kya themselves, they strongly condemned the creative decision-makers and Starship Entertainment for allowing this situation to happen.
Some are also calling for the removal of the video and more careful content planning moving forward, particularly when it involves underage idols.
As of now, neither Starship Entertainment nor the producers involved have issued a statement addressing the controversy.
Fans are urging the company to be more mindful of the image and safety of their young idols, especially during their formative debut stages.
While Kiiikiii’s debut was otherwise met with excitement and praise, this incident serves as a reminder of the delicate line between fun fan service and inappropriate content—especially in a rapidly evolving industry where younger idols are debuting earlier than ever.
