NCT WISH continues to find themselves at the center of a heated online discussion following their recent appearance on SBS PowerFM’s ‘Cultwo Show at 2PM‘. While the show is typically known for its lively and humorous atmosphere, NCT WISH’s seemingly subdued demeanor throughout the broadcast has sparked criticism and divided opinions among netizens.
According to reports and listener accounts, the six members – Sion, Yushi, Riku, Sakuya, Ryo, and Jaehee – maintained a noticeably passive presence during the show. Despite the efforts of the ‘Cultwo Show‘ DJs to engage them with conversation and encourage reactions, the members often responded with quiet voices and blank expressions. This reportedly led to a noticeable dip in the show’s energy.
A particular point of contention arose during a challenge segment. While the DJs invited NCT WISH to participate, only a few members reportedly joined in. The remaining members are said to have simply watched without actively reacting, offering only faint smiles. This contrasted sharply with senior idol Chuu, who was also a guest on the show. Chuu actively tried to inject energy into the segment, enthusiastically cheering on the participating member and providing reactions on her own.
👤 사이타마 뭐가 유명한가요?
🥐 … 그거 있어요 슈퍼 아레나 있어요!
👤 먹을 거 좀 유명한 거 없나요?
🥐 … 없어요
👤 온천이 유명하지않나?
🥐 아니에요오…
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ pic.twitter.com/KbfTnuYvYZ— 기니쿠や (@ginikuya) April 22, 2025
The situation culminated in pointed remarks from the ‘Cultwo Show‘ DJs at the end of the broadcast. They were quoted saying, “WISH has completely frozen up,” “Someone’s struggling all alone here,” and “Thank you for continuing your promotions despite having such a difficult vibe.” These comments quickly amplified the discussion online, turning NCT WISH‘s broadcast attitude into a significant controversy across various online communities.
The reaction from netizens has been largely critical. Many expressed disappointment at the group’s apparent lack of effort and engagement. Some went as far as to accuse them of displaying “celebrity disease,” suggesting a sense of entitlement or disinterest. Others drew comparisons to a perceived trend among idols from larger agencies, where some are seen as overly passive and unmotivated during variety show appearances. Comments circulating online include sentiments like,
“They’re just frustrating and hard to watch,”
and
“The impression they make does feel like they have no sincerity.”
Many netizens also pointed out what they perceived as a lack of basic manners towards the hosts and fellow guests.
However, a smaller segment of online commenters continue to come to NCT WISH‘s defense. A key argument revolves around the group’s young age and the fact that several members are Japanese. Supporters suggest that their perceived passivity might stem from inexperience with Korean broadcast culture, a natural lack of variety show flair, and potentially underdeveloped communication or social skills in a live broadcast setting, rather than actual arrogance or indifference.
What are your thoughts on the NCT WISH broadcast attitude controversy? Do you lean more towards the side of inexperience or lack of effort, and what responsibilities do you think rookie groups have when appearing on variety shows? Let us know in the comment section below!
