K-pop star Jeon Somi recently caused a stir online after sharing a photo on Instagram wearing sagging pants that exposed her underwear. The singer tagged her labelmate Tarzzan from the group ALLDAY PROJECT, asking if she was doing the style correctly. This simple post led to major debates across social media.
The photo showed Somi with her pants pulled low, mimicking Tarzzan’s signature style. She wrote in the caption “This is how you do it, right?” before deleting the story shortly after. While some fans saw it as a playful joke, others criticized it for ignoring the cultural roots of sagging pants.
Mixed Reactions From Fans and Critics
Many netizens accused Somi of promoting cultural appropriation since sagging pants originated from Black American culture. They felt tagging Tarzzan, who has faced similar criticism, made the situation worse. Some demanded she take a break from social media.
“She needs to delete social media,” one fan commented.
“Somi i try defending u girl but u make it way too hard ur on ur own mama,” another user wrote.
However, other supporters argued Somi was just teasing her junior artist at THEBLACKLABEL, not giving him credit for the trend. They viewed it as harmless fun between labelmates.
“Somi making fun of Tarzzan sagging on her ig story I cantttt,” a fan tweeted.
“She’s throwing shade but yall too slow,” another supporter added.
Background on the Sagging Pants Controversy
Sagging pants became popular in hip-hop culture during the 1990s, with roots tracing back to U.S. prison systems. Over time, it spread globally but remains tied to its Black cultural origins. When non-Black artists adopt the style without context, it often sparks debates about appropriation.
Tarzzan has faced previous backlash for allegedly copying Black hip-hop fashion and hairstyles. His consistent low-rise pants outfits have drawn criticism, with some calling him a “cheap imitation of Black rappers.” This made Somi’s post even more controversial.
Who Are Jeon Somi and Tarzzan?
Jeon Somi is a South Korean-Canadian singer who first gained fame on the survival show Produce 101, leading to her debut in I.O.I. After the group disbanded, she became a successful solo artist under THEBLACKLABEL, releasing hits like DUMB DUMB and FAST FORWARD. Her latest song EXTRA dropped on July 7, 2025.
ALLDAY PROJECT is a co-ed group under the same label, debuting on June 23, 2025. The five-member team includes Tarzzan, who has been controversial since pre-debut for his fashion choices and past incidents. Recently, a video surfaced allegedly showing him rapping a racial slur, adding fuel to the fire.
As of today (August 3, 2025), neither Somi nor Tarzzan has publicly addressed the latest backlash. ALLDAY PROJECT is scheduled to perform at KCON LA later today, putting more spotlight on the group. Meanwhile, Somi is preparing for her upcoming mini-album Chaotic and Confused, set to release on August 11.
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Credits: social media reactions.
