ALLDAY PROJECT Faces “Rigged Daesang” Backlash Over Viral Member Reaction Clip

A video clip of K-Pop co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT has sparked online controversy and accusations of a rigged award win. The viral moment shows members instantly turning to Annie Moon, whose family background has become a central point in the debate.

The group won the Grand Honor’s Choice daesang at the 2025 Korea Grand Music Awards on November 14. This major award came just 144 days after their debut, making them the second-fastest K-Pop group to achieve this after NewJeans. The win was immediately met with skepticism from netizens, who point to Annie’s family connections as a key reason for their success.

Netizens Point to Viral Clip as Proof

A clip circulating widely on TikTok and X is being cited as clear evidence of a “rigged” award. In the video, the moment the winners are announced, members Tarzzan, Bailey, Woochan, and Youngseo simultaneously turn to look at member Annie. This reaction has been interpreted by many online as an acknowledgment that her influence secured their win.

One netizen commented on the situation, writing, “it blows my mind how their career will feel empty… no real excitement, no real hard work. just getting everything easily bcs of nepotism.” This sentiment reflects a broader criticism of privilege within the industry.

The “Chaebol” Connection Behind the Controversy

The core of the controversy stems from member Annie Moon’s family background. Her great grandfather is the founder of the Samsung Group, making her a fourth-generation ‘chaebol,’ or a member of a wealthy family-run conglomerate in South Korea. She is also the daughter of Chung Yoo Kyung, a chairman within the Shinsegae Group.

Many netizens accuse the group of having “bought” the Grand Honor’s Choice award. Online, Annie has been labeled a “Nepo baby,” a term for individuals who achieve career success through family connections and privilege rather than merit alone. Critics argue that her origin unduly influenced the judges’ decision.

Questions on Award Criteria and Group Achievements

The award criteria have also come under scrutiny. The Grand Honor’s Choice category was decided entirely by a panel of judges. Unlike other awards, it did not consider criteria like album sales or digital music performance.

While ALLDAY PROJECT’s debut song “Famous” is one of the highest-charting songs in Korea this year, critics note its performance didn’t achieve a “Perfect All-kill.” Furthermore, the group’s international achievements and album sales are viewed by some as not yet outstanding enough to justify a daesang. A social media user expressed a common doubt, stating, “I love their 2 songs, but something doesn’t seem right. I mean someone out there from the 5th gen group deserves more the award.”

A Wider Pattern of Award Suspicion

This is not an isolated incident in the K-Pop industry this award season. The upcoming 2025 MAMA Awards have also triggered fan outrage after changing their judging criteria. Mnet increased the judges’ panel score weight from 20% to 40% for major categories like Best Artist, while reducing the weight of album sales.

Fans have expressed concern that this change reduces transparency. Some speculate that the adjustment was made specifically to benefit certain artists, with ALLDAY PROJECT’s name frequently mentioned in these discussions.

https://twitter.com/lightsumism/status/1989963568880779500?s=20

“the payment went through?!”

— َ (@rhysdia) November 16, 2025

it blows my mind how their career will feel empty… no real excitement, no real hard work. just getting everything easily bcs of nepotism wkwk. and the funniest part is people will always doubt their effort anyway lmaoo

— jae 🇵🇸 (@eunhasmoochies) November 16, 2025

Group’s Response and Future Scrutiny

During their award acceptance speech, Annie shared, “We didnt even dare to expect to win an award. We are truly grateful to the KGMA organizers for giving us this honor.”* Member Tarzzan added that the group would remain humble and strive to return with a better image every year.

Despite their gratitude, the group continues to face intense scrutiny. The public debate questions whether their success is organic or assisted, and whether Annie and ALLDAY PROJECT will be shadowed by accusations of nepotism for the rest of their career.

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