On March 22, 2025, NJZ (formerly known as NewJeans) found themselves at the center of a significant controversy surrounding their purported connections with an alleged fan. Images and private message screenshots purportedly between the group members and a 30-year-old fan running the account Talytokki have surfaced, leading to widespread speculation and critique across social media platforms.
The controversy was amplified when the fan account @TheFlopKpop shared a photograph of NJZ members Hanni and Danielle in the company of this fan, reportedly taken near the HYBE building. However, the exact date of this encounter remains unknown.
A subsequent thread by @TheFlopKpop on X revealed that this fan had allegedly engaged directly with NJZ and even held conversations with former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin. The thread claimed that the fan received gifts from the group members, further raising eyebrows among netizens.
Screenshots from chats have also emerged, indicating potential plans to meet in November close to the HYBE headquarters. This revelation has sparked a mix of reactions from the online community.
“What?????????? They’re friends with an international hater???ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ This is revolutionary;;;; Is that true,”commented a user on X.
The nature of idol-fan relationships is under scrutiny as many fans express unease over these revelations.
“Choosing to associate with someone who critiques other artists… just says a lot about NewJeans,”remarked one fan.
“The fact that they communicated through this app suggests they were aware of her posts and still opted to meet,”another user pointed out.
“Makes sense why that older individual would produce a lengthy YouTube video accusing others of undesirable behaviors; they likely interacted with NJZ prior to discussing these matters,”claimed another user.
Conversely, some fans defended Talytokki, questioning the rationale behind the backlash.
“They are not friends omg 😭 They only met ONCE when she visited Korea a few months back. The girls were introduced to her during the whole Jason situation, likely by chance,”one netizen explained.
“Isn’t this libel though? What’s wrong with K-media framing it this way? She’s a fan who exchanged a few messages with NJZ and snapped a picture. Where’s the harm?,”another viewer said.
“It’s simply NJZ meeting a dedicated fan. Some stans are just trying to tarnish their image out of jealousy. You could never attain this level of closeness with your idols,”added yet another supporter.
Talytokki Issues Apology Amid Backlash
In the wake of the escalating criticism, Talytokki issued an apology on social media after sharing details of their meeting with NJZ members Hanni and Danielle. This revelation, which quickly went viral, drew ire from both Korean and international fandoms. Following the incident, they locked their X account and posted a TikTok video acknowledging their carelessness and expressing regret over the unfolding consequences.
In their apology, Talytokki emphasized that they never intended to harm NJZ and lamented the breach of trust with Hanni and Danielle. They clarified that there was no ongoing private communication with the group following their meeting and firmly stated that claims of a close friendship were unfounded.
Furthermore, Talytokki addressed the misconceptions surrounding their online presence, affirming that they had never spoken negatively about idols but rather scrutinized management practices. They insisted that their content was carefully researched and aimed at enhancing the NJZ fan community rather than provoking negativity. They urged followers to seek their explanation before accepting any misleading information.
In a related development, a Seoul court rejected NJZ’s request to terminate their contract, ruling that the group failed to substantiate claims against ADOR regarding any material breaches, affirming that the company had met its fundamental obligations, including payment commitments.