RESCENE Take Two Music Show Wins in Two Days, but Encore Lives Spark Debate

RESCENE took first place on SBS Life's The Show on the 10th and MBC every1's Show Champion on the 11th, and the live encore stages that followed became the center of an online debate. Within days, their agency The Muse Entertainment announced it had filed criminal complaints against people posting malicious content about the members.

The wins came with the group's fourth mini-album, PULSE, released on the 3rd. Its title track "With" has performed well, and the back-to-back trophies were a strong start to the first comeback since RESCENE's sudden rise in popularity, the kind of climb Korean fans call a "chart reversal."

The encore stages under scrutiny

Both encores were sung live, and some viewers heard unstable pitch. The song sits in a high range, and critics said certain members struggled to land the high sections cleanly. Woni and May drew the most attention for wavering, trembling vocals, while Liv looked nervous. Minami and Zena were described as steadier, though even their performances were called below what they have shown before.

Fans offered an explanation: the members were overwhelmed at winning, which they say explains the shaky voices. Woni also faced criticism over choreography, with some noting that her hand positions differed from the other members and that she missed small details such as the foot stomps. A few fans agreed she could push further there.

The discussion reflects the group's new status. As RESCENE has moved into the top tier of girl groups, the standard applied to their live singing and dancing has tightened, and the argument has kept going.

The agency's response

On the afternoon of the 12th, The Muse Entertainment said that baseless rumors and malicious posts targeting the members had been repeatedly written and spread on online communities and social media. It confirmed that a first round of criminal complaints has been filed and that investigators are now looking into the matter. The agency said it will pursue strict legal responsibility even if it takes time.

It says it is monitoring posts in real time and will keep going after authors who delete posts, change usernames or leave a platform. Overseas platforms, anonymous communities, foreign residents and users who mask their IP addresses are not exempt, the agency said, and it intends to identify them.

The Muse also ruled out leniency: no settlements, and no exceptions for written apologies, first-time offenders or age. It closed by thanking fans for their support and said protecting its artists is the top priority.

What theqoo users said

1. 1

   If they keep working on their skills, this will become a solid foundation for them. Fighting!

2. 2

   They didn't get popular on the strength of their talent in the first place, so why be disappointed now?

3. 3

   It's a bit of a shame, but a group is always better with solid skills. I hope they practice a lot.

4. 4

   I think people mistook them for a "talented" group just because they were idols who struggled to get noticed. They're the "growth-type" kind, and now that they're being criticized they'll probably practice like crazy.

5. 5

   They didn't blow up because of their stage performances to begin with. They found success as YouTubers, didn't they?

6. 6

   People kept calling them "talented," so I wondered what their level was, but it looks pretty serious. It's not even just the dancing. I'm sure they'll put in the practice, though.

7. 7

   Are these kids also the "growth type"? Lol. Seriously, finish the product before you release it.

8. 8

   Their skill level doesn't really justify this much hate, does it?

9. 9

   Wow, the hate comments in this thread are really something.

10. 10

    I do think they should practice more. Fighting!

11. 11

    Why are people so mean to them? The reactions were so different under the IVE post.

12. 12

    If they sing a song they've been performing for two years, like "LOVE ATTACK," they'll get better. Fighting!

13. 13

    They were honestly bad.

14. 14

    I just watched their encore and it was indeed bad.