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'BELIFT Apologize' trends, Engenes call out Enhypen stylists for using Muslim religious accessories

While Engenes ask Jake to take responsibility for his actions, fans call out stylists for their controversial choice of accessories for Enhypen members

Even when the rest of the world is currently grappling with a new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, there seem to be new issues that take over K-pop ever-so-often. Over the past few weeks issues like cultural appropriation, breaking of gender norms have plagued K-pop but a new issue and a pretty significant one is doing the rounds on Twitter. Engenes (Enhypen fans) are calling out the company that manages the boy band - Belift Labs (a subsidiary of HYBE labels) for not being sensitive towards the Islamic religious sentiments as Jake was seen wearing a necklace with the word, ‘Allah’ written on it in Arabic.

Fans of Enhypen have had a tumultuous relationship with the members of the group as well as their label as they have time and again called out the label as well as the members for their faults only to be met with radio silence for weeks and months before the issue being brushed off the rug with a new comeback or some other achievement. This time around, fans of Ehypen trend ‘Belift Apologize’ as they urge the label to take accountability for their error in judgment for letting a Christian member, Jake wear accessories pertaining to Islamic religious beliefs.

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Engenes trend ‘BELIFT Apologize’

On January 31, a screenshot from a viral TikTok was shared on Twitter with an up-close shot of Jake wearing a necklace that read ‘Allah’ in Arabic on its pendant. The photo soon went viral as Muslim fans of the group started seeking an apology for using the name of their religious diety used as an accessory. Jake, who is Christian was also accused by fans for not saying no to stylists and not showing accountability for his actions. Other K-pop fans called out the stylists alone stating how K-pop idols usually have no say in what they wear as the label is completely responsible for this act.

As the history of Belift Labs has seen it, the label has often been called out for not being able to consider the issues fans have. In the past also, Black Engenes had called out member Heesung for his alleged use of the ‘N word’. Other than apologizing for the error or clarifying the issue if he did not use the word, Belift Labs, as a label did not talk about it at all leaving fans to protest, as the label waited for the issue to die down without any acknowledgment to it. Fans of Enhypen are tired of the label not addressing the faults made by members of the group or by the management, editors, or stylists themselves as they are forced to demand an apology via Twitter.

‘Jake should apologize too’

Fans are holding the idol responsible too as Jake himself too has the responsibility towards his Muslim fans as a public icon. Engenes are now calling out the label as well as the idol for not being able to put the concerns of fans first. One fan said, “I'm sure Jake will apologize bcs he didn't mean to offend muslim community,  pls stylists must be responsible abt this issue, not jake.” One more fan said, “I agree with her. Jake should apologize, the company and the stylists should also apologize.” One more fan said, “idg what belift has to lose by releasing a statement and having jake apologize like it’s f**king ridiculous at this point.”

One fan said, “Belift please do your job right and I hope you also fix the way you treat your artists, we fans are doing what we can to protect them from all cost and hope you do the same to them. Enhypen deserves a better company, istg.” Another fan pointed, “Staying quiet and not addressing this issue hurts more. I think people won't make an issue anymore if you clearly state you didn't know at that time. Learn from other company #BELIFTAPOLOGIZE.” Another said, “PLEASE TO ALL MUSLIM FANS FROM ANY FANDOMS, PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THIS #BELIFTAPOLOGIZE.”