Annie’s “jeoldae no” meme sparks backlash after Starship Entertainment misuses it
Annie, trainee from ALLDAY PROJECT, is at the center of controversy as her interview phrase “jeoldae no” went viral as a meme—and not in a good way.
Before ALLDAY PROJECT debuted, Annie said the now-infamous phrase mixing Korean and English during an interview. Netizens quickly turned it into a derogatory meme, mocking her with it. The phrase spread widely online, sparking criticism and calls to avoid using it.
The situation worsened when Starship Entertainment used “jeoldae no” in a promotional caption for KiiiKiii’s “DANCING ALONE” on August 10:
It’s lonely dancing alone? Jeoldae NO. It’s not lonely if you have KiiiKiii’s “DANCING ALONE” with you.
Starship Entertainment
Fans and netizens immediately called out the company for poor judgement and insensitivity. They accused Starship of ignoring the phrase’s negative connotations. Under heavy backlash, Starship quickly edited the caption to remove “jeoldae no.”
Comments from fans included:
Fake-ship Entertainment, are you sure you even want to be in this business?
This is crossing the line… I can never look at them positively.
Starship Entertainment has yet to release an official statement addressing the controversy. The phrase and incident continue to draw heated discussion online, with many warning against casual use of “jeoldae no” due to its derogatory meme status.
The scandal highlights the viral power of trainee moments—and the risks companies face when repurposing sensitive fan-driven memes.
