A storm of debate has hit the K-pop world after a viral post on South Korea’s popular online forum Pann threw shade at NJZ—the group formerly known as NewJeans. With over 56,000 views and more than 540 upvotes, the post has sparked a heated conversation about whether the group’s massive success comes from real talent or just clever production and marketing.
The buzz started on April 07, 2025, when the post hit Pann, pulling no punches in its critique of NJZ’s abilities. It’s a hot topic that’s got fans, netizens, and casual listeners weighing in, and the comments are flying fast. Here’s the full scoop on what’s going down.
Right after the headline, here’s the kicker: NJZ—made up of Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein—shot to fame in 2022 under ADOR with hits like Attention and Hype Boy. But now, some are asking if their shine is more about the team behind them than their own skills. This viral post has peeled back the curtain, and people aren’t holding back.
What the Viral Post Says
The original poster didn’t mince words, kicking things off with a bold question: “But isn’t NewJeans’ skill not top-tier?” They went on to compare NJZ to BLACKPINK, saying the group struggles to match the live performance power of the veteran act.
Here’s the exact take from the post:
It’s hard for them to pull off something as overwhelming as BLACKPINK’s live performances. The members’ atmosphere really feels like they’re just fighting to improve their skills with a strong, competitive edge. Wouldn’t you say NewJeans’ success is mostly due to the production behind them? Though it seems like they do practice dancing a lot, the problem is that NewJeans are singers, not dancers. It’s like a restaurant where the cooking skills aren’t top-notch. Even if the food tastes a bit off, they’ve decorated the place nicely, and it looks great on Instagram, with beautiful plating.
The post paints NJZ as a group leaning hard on aesthetics and production polish, suggesting their vocal and dance skills don’t quite measure up to their glossy image.
Netizens Fire Back with Harsh Comments
The post didn’t just sit there—it lit up the Pann forum with over 500 comments, racking up tons of engagement. A chunk of users jumped on the criticism bandwagon, slamming NJZ’s talent and doubling down on the idea that their fame is more about hype than ability.
Here’s what some netizens had to say, word for word:
“NewJeans having skill? First time I’ve heard that. These guys are just the originators of lip-syncing. They went on Kim Hyun Jung’s news show and couldn’t even sing well, got mocked, and had to take the video down. LOL. Who even says NewJeans are good dancers? At their Hong Kong concert, the moves looked like a balloon.”
One user brought up a past incident, claiming NJZ flopped vocally on a news show, leading to a deleted video and online ridicule.
“The reason they’re upset about Min Hee Jin leaving is because they know it’s true, LOL.”
This comment ties the group’s reaction to former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin’s exit to their supposed reliance on her production magic.
“It’s just like the reverse of a cheap udon in the idol industry. Marketing-driven, low-quality food.”
Another user slammed NJZ as a product of slick marketing, not talent, with a sharp food analogy.
“Even the fanbase doesn’t say they’re good singers, LOL. They just keep telling themselves that they have great tone and try to find victory in that.”
This jab suggests even fans don’t fully buy into the group’s vocal skills, clinging to “tone” as a fallback.
“Originally, NewJeans wasn’t even meant to have a ‘talent-driven’ image. They were just going for the image of being pretty teenage girls, but the vocals are whatever, and the dancing is decent.”
Here, a commenter argues NJZ was never sold on skill—just a cute, approachable vibe that’s carried them far.
The comments show a mix of skepticism and outright mockery, with many agreeing that NJZ’s strengths lie in their visuals and branding, not their live performance chops.
NJZ’s Journey: From NewJeans to Now
To get the full picture, let’s rewind. NJZ, originally NewJeans, debuted on July 22, 2022, with Attention, a track that zoomed to number one on South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart. Their follow-ups, Hype Boy and Cookie, kept the momentum going, with Hype Boy holding strong on the Billboard Global 200 for 42 weeks—a record for a K-pop female act. Their first EP, New Jeans, dropped in August 2022, cementing their spot as a breakout group.
In 2023, Ditto and OMG took them even higher. Ditto snagged Song of the Year at major awards like the MAMA Awards and Golden Disc Awards, while OMG went viral on TikTok and hit number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group’s sound—mellow beats, retro vibes, and a “girl next door” image—won them a huge following.
But 2025 flipped the script. After a messy contract dispute with ADOR and parent company HYBE, the members rebranded as NJZ in February. They announced a new song, Pit Stop, and a headline slot at Hong Kong’s ComplexCon festival on March 23. Trouble is, ADOR won an injunction blocking independent activities, leaving their next moves up in the air. A court hearing on April 3 will decide their contract’s fate.
The Bigger Debate: Talent vs. Production
This viral post isn’t just about NJZ—it’s tapping into a bigger K-pop question: how much of a group’s success is raw talent versus the machine behind them? NJZ came up under Min Hee Jin, a mastermind known for crafting standout concepts. Their Y2K-inspired style and catchy tracks have been a huge draw, but critics—like the Pann poster—say it’s the production, not the members, doing the heavy lifting.
The comparison to BLACKPINK stings too. Known for powerhouse live shows, BLACKPINK sets a high bar that NJZ, still early in their career, might not hit yet. Netizens point to shaky vocals and dance moves that don’t pop—especially at gigs like their Hong Kong concert—as proof the group’s still growing.
On the flip side, NJZ has fans who’d argue their charm and stage presence are talents in themselves. Their dance practices, like the one for New Jeans, show tight teamwork and energy, even if the moves aren’t the toughest. Vocally, they lean on a soft, unique tone that fits their vibe—not belting, but distinct.
Where It Stands Now
As of April 07, 2025, the Pann post’s 56,000-plus views and 540 upvotes keep the debate raging. It’s split opinions: some see NJZ as overhyped, others as a young group finding their feet. With their legal battle ongoing and public sentiment shifting, the heat’s on.
The forum’s thrown out a challenge: is NJZ’s rise about skill, or is it all smoke and mirrors? No one’s got the final word yet, but the chatter’s loud and clear.
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