On March 30, 2025, Wooyoung of ATEEZ stirred considerable online discussion by opting out of the trending “Like Jennie”dance challenge. This refusal transpired during a live stream, where fans urged him to participate. Instead of fulfilling the request, he posed a pointed question to his supporters:
“I’m not doing ‘Like Jennie’ challenge. Aren’t you ATINY?”
The reaction quickly gained traction on social media, with one notable post on X amassing over nine million views, igniting debates among fans.
Viewers were split in their opinions. Some believed Wooyoung could have simply bypassed the request, while others rallied behind his stance. Critics, particularly from BLACKPINK’s fandom, felt he should have brushed off the comment. User @notabear17 expressed:
“he could have just ignored the question but that’s just me.”
Many interpreted Wooyoung’s refusal as an unnecessary slight against Jennie, suggesting that he could have approached the situation more diplomatically. Comments like:
“Sit down boy… You’re overestimating yourself,”an X user wrote.
“Could have easily ignored the comments asking for the dance or should have directly communicated with the choreographer. Very immature and weird bringing her into their issues,”stated another netizen.
“Shading someone he has a dispute with using another idol’s song? He needs to reevaluate,”a person remarked.
“He could’ve just skipped the question and ignored it, but he decided to name drop Jennie instead. He’s just seeking attention,”a user commented.
Conversely, many fans of ATEEZ defended Wooyoung’s actions, asserting that his comments were directed at Vata, the choreographer of the challenge, rather than being a slight against Jennie herself.
They pointed out a connection between Vata and ATEEZ, highlighting that the choreographer had faced accusations of plagiarizing choreography from ATEEZ’s “Say My Name”back in 2022. Hence, this context strengthened the argument that Wooyoung’s abstention was rooted in principle rather than personal animosity.
“Stop getting so offended over him simply naming the song/challenge title. Y’all can’t be serious about that. It’s not his fault her name is in the song because SHE named it that way. Some fan asked him about it, and he responded. Simple. No twisted meaning or intention. It’s over,”a fan mentioned.
“If only Vata hadn’t choreographed the song, we could have had the challenge,”another X user added.
“Think of it this way, BLINKs (those who have issues with Woo): if someone stole BP’s choreography, claimed it as theirs, and didn’t apologize or take accountability, would you want BP to do that idol’s dance challenge?”another netizen commented.
“Why is he name dropping Jennie? Her name is literally in the song title, so what do y’all want him to say? ‘Like [muted] challenged’? Y’all are ridiculous,”a fan wrote.
Understanding the Wooyoung and Vata Controversy
This incident cannot be detached from the ongoing conflict between ATEEZ and Vata, a prominent figure in choreography and the leader of the We Dem Boyz (WDBZ) crew. In 2022, Vata’s choreography for Zico’s “New Thing,”showcased on the dance competition show “Street Man Fighter,”came under scrutiny for closely mimicking ATEEZ’s distinctive moves from “Say My Name.”This sparked allegations of plagiarism, with ATEEZ choreographer Anze Skrube publicly criticizing him, alongside a wave of criticisms from fans and dance experts alike for failing to properly credit the creators of the original choreography.
Wooyoung subtly acknowledged this controversy at an ATEEZ concert by performing a distinctive “biting” gesture, which is a common signal among dancers to indicate that a move has been copied. Despite the fallout, Vata has yet to issue a formal apology, leaving the matter as a sensitive topic for ATEEZ and their loyal followers.
Thus, Wooyoung’s refusal to engage with the “Like Jennie”challenge is often interpreted as a principled stance against Vata’s involvement rather than an affront to Jennie herself.
ATEEZ, an eight-member boy band under KQ Entertainment, recently concluded their “TOWARDS THE LIGHT: WILL TO POWER”world tour, performing in front of enthusiastic crowds worldwide. Their latest release, “Golden Hour: Part 1,”has garnered critical acclaim and topped international music charts, further solidifying their status in the global K-Pop scene.