By Asep Darmawan 
The global K-pop landscape was met with significant discourse this week following the official announcement of WayV’s upcoming concert tour, titled "Born This Way." The announcement, made by SM Entertainment on July 24, 2024, outlined the initial dates for the tour, beginning with a two-day residency in Seoul this September, followed by several dates across Japan in January 2025. While the prospect of a new tour typically generates universal excitement within a fandom, the revelation that the tour would proceed with a reduced four-member lineup sparked immediate and intense debate across social media platforms.
WayV, the China-based sub-unit of the multi-national boy group NCT, has undergone several structural changes since its debut in 2019. The latest announcement confirmed that the "Born This Way" tour would feature members Kun, Hendery, Xiaojun, and Yangyang. Notably absent from the roster are Ten and Winwin. This discrepancy between the group’s recent recording lineup and its touring lineup has prompted a wave of questions regarding the management of the group’s activities and the future of its remaining members.
Chronology of Recent Group Developments
To understand the current tension within the WayV fandom, it is necessary to examine the events leading up to the "Born This Way" tour announcement. Earlier this year, the group’s dynamic shifted significantly when it was revealed that Ten, a foundational member of both NCT and WayV, would be departing from SM Entertainment to pursue his career under different management, while still maintaining ties to the NCT brand. Shortly thereafter, Winwin’s participation in group activities became increasingly sporadic, largely attributed to his burgeoning acting career and individual commitments within the Chinese entertainment industry.
In June 2024, WayV released their latest mini-album, "Give Me That," which was marketed as a five-member project. This release featured Kun, Ten, Xiaojun, Hendery, and Yangyang, leading fans to believe that the five-member configuration would be the standard for the group’s immediate future. The omission of Winwin from the album was expected by many due to his long-term hiatus for solo activities, but the subsequent omission of Ten from the tour announcement came as a shock to the global audience.
On July 24, the official tour poster and logistical details were released. The notice explicitly stated that the tour would proceed with four members, citing Ten’s departure from the agency as a primary factor in the inability to coordinate his participation in the extensive touring schedule. This announcement served as the catalyst for a polarized reaction among "WayZenNi" (the group’s official fandom), with some fans calling for a boycott and others defending the four remaining members who are moving forward with the tour.
Analysis of the Four-Member Lineup and Fan Reaction
The decision to tour with only four members—Kun, Hendery, Xiaojun, and Yangyang—has been met with a mixture of disappointment and frustration. On platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Weibo, fans have expressed concern that the group is being "hollowed out" by management decisions. The primary point of contention lies in the perceived lack of effort by SM Entertainment to coordinate schedules with members who are no longer under their direct exclusive management.
Comparative discussions have surfaced regarding other veteran groups under SM Entertainment. For instance, fans pointed to Super Junior, a group that has successfully coordinated world tours and major performances despite having several members signed to different agencies. The argument presented by critics is that if a larger, more complex group like Super Junior can maintain a unified presence, WayV should be able to do the same with only one or two members requiring external coordination.
Conversely, a segment of the fandom has emphasized the importance of supporting the four active members. These supporters argue that Kun, Hendery, Xiaojun, and Yangyang should not be penalized for administrative or contractual hurdles beyond their control. They assert that the "Born This Way" tour is a vital opportunity for these four artists to showcase their growth and maintain the group’s momentum in a highly competitive industry.
Yangyang’s Statement and the Interpretative Divide
Amidst the escalating online discourse, Yangyang, the group’s youngest member and lead rapper, took to Instagram on July 25 to share a message that many have interpreted as a direct response to the controversy. His Instagram story featured a candid and somewhat provocative statement: "Everything happens for a fucxing reasons. It is up to how everyone interprets. Just know that we’re gonna deliver no matter what. Enjoy and live as we go. That’s the priority."
This post immediately went viral, further dividing the fan base. One faction of the audience interpreted Yangyang’s use of profanity and his assertive tone as a sign of frustration toward the fans who were criticizing the tour lineup. Some even suggested that his words were "shading" or indirectly criticizing Ten for his non-participation. These fans expressed disappointment, suggesting that Yangyang should have addressed the management’s failures rather than the fans’ reactions.
However, a different interpretation suggests that Yangyang was defending his fellow members and the hard work they have put into the tour preparations. Supporters of this view believe Yangyang was encouraging fans to focus on the performance and the music rather than the behind-the-scenes politics. From this perspective, his statement was an act of resilience—a declaration that the four remaining members are committed to delivering a high-quality show despite the diminished numbers.
The Challenges of Multi-Agency Management in K-pop
The situation surrounding WayV highlights a growing trend and challenge within the K-pop industry: the "hybrid" group model. As more idols choose not to renew their individual contracts with their debut agencies while remaining part of their original groups, the logistics of group activities become increasingly complex.
Managing a tour involves months of rehearsal, travel, and promotional commitments. When a member is signed to a different agency, the "mother agency" must negotiate with the new management regarding profit sharing, scheduling priority, and brand usage. In the case of WayV, which operates across multiple markets (China, South Korea, and Japan), these challenges are compounded by varying international regulations and market demands.
Industry analysts suggest that SM Entertainment’s decision to move forward with four members may be a pragmatic attempt to ensure the tour’s financial viability and logistical stability. By relying on the members still under their direct control, the agency minimizes the risk of last-minute cancellations or scheduling conflicts that could arise from external negotiations. However, this pragmatic approach often comes at the cost of fan goodwill and the perceived integrity of the group’s brand.
Broader Implications for WayV’s Future
The "Born This Way" tour represents a critical juncture for WayV. Since their debut, the group has faced numerous obstacles, including the departure of Lucas in 2023 following a prolonged hiatus and the constant balancing act of being a Mandarin-speaking group based primarily in the South Korean idol system.
The transition to a four-member touring unit raises questions about the group’s long-term identity. If the tour is successful, it may signal a permanent shift in how the group operates, with a "core" group of members handling the bulk of activities while others join for specific recordings or special events. This "revolving door" or "flexible lineup" model is not new to the NCT brand, which was built on the concept of infinite expansion and sub-unit fluidity. However, for WayV fans who have grown attached to the specific chemistry of the original lineup, these changes are often difficult to reconcile.
Furthermore, the pressure on the remaining members is immense. Kun, as the leader, and Xiaojun, Hendery, and Yangyang must now cover the vocal and performance parts originally designed for six or seven people. The "Born This Way" tour will be a test of their versatility and their ability to command a stage as a quartet.
Conclusion and Outlook
As the "Born This Way" tour approaches its September kickoff in Seoul, the conversation surrounding WayV remains charged with emotion. Yangyang’s recent social media activity has underscored the human element of these corporate decisions, revealing the tension felt by the artists who stand at the center of the controversy.
While the debate over the four-member lineup is unlikely to be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction, the focus now shifts to the stage. The success of the upcoming concerts will be measured not only by ticket sales but by the group’s ability to maintain their connection with a fractured but passionate global audience. As Yangyang noted in his post, the "priority" for the members is to deliver their performance, leaving the interpretation of the circumstances to the public.
SM Entertainment has yet to issue a secondary statement addressing the fan backlash or clarifying the future status of Ten and Winwin within the touring circuit. For now, WayV continues its preparations as a quartet, aiming to prove that despite the internal and external shifts, the essence of the group remains intact. The "Born This Way" tour will undoubtedly be a defining chapter in the complex history of one of NCT’s most unique sub-units.
