“Sorry, but what is Anton good at…?”

A recent post on the popular Korean community site Pann has sparked an intense debate about RIIZE‘s Anton, drawing in over 118,200 views and more than 200 comments.

Titled “RIIZE’s Anton Looks Unrecognizable,” the post features photos of Anton from the group’s ongoing “Boom Boom Bass” era. In the post, the OP claims that he looks drastically different from his debut days.

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They expressed surprise at Anton’s changed appearance and asked if anyone else noticed the significant transformation. The discussion quickly heated up in the comments, with over 200 netizens giving their opinions on the matter.

This isn’t the face I remember… It’s fascinating that he looks so different from when he debuted. Am I the only one who feels this way?

— OP on Pann

Some comments drew comparisons between Anton and other — older — idols. Others were more critical, with one user bluntly asking, “What exactly is Anton good at?” Some netizens even implied that Anton’s debut was premature and criticized his performance skills. However, there were also netizens who came to his defense.

One commenter found it amusing how perceptions on YouTube and Instagram painted a more favorable picture of Anton, while Pann users were harsh in their judgment. Others chimed in criticizing those who refused to acknowledge recent photos that showed him looking quite good but choosing to focus on the “bad” ones instead.

• “Is this Leeteuk or what?”
• “Sorry, but what is Anton good at…? He’s not a standout in visuals, singing, or dancing… Even Chanyeol, who gets a lot of criticism, at least has amazing visuals.”
• “Usually, other projects have been prepared for a while and don’t stand out much, but did they rush this one? His dancing is really bad this time.”
• “It’s hilarious how different the reactions are on verified places like YouTube and Instagram compared to here. On those platforms, he’s doing great, but here, people are saying he’s lost his popularity and looks terrible. It’s like their own little world. Come on, friends, step outside and look at the real world.”
• “There are recent photos right below, but people are stubbornly pretending not to see them. So petty.”
• “What is this, a post to bash him? If this is what you call bad by your standards, then I’d say he’s actually quite handsome. Anton, you’re killing it.”

Ultimately, netizens seem very divided on Anton’s current image — even more so when it comes to his visuals. While some see a decline, others argue that Anton is still as impressive as ever. Thus, the RIIZE star continues to be a hot topic in South Korea.

Source: Pann