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iKON's Junhoe expresses frustration over career, fans say 'your time will come'

With five of the iKON members yet to have solo careers, Junhoe shares his frustrations with Bobby

iKONICs are being quite well-fed this year with a lot of content from the leading third-gen K-pop group. In fact, after competing in the fierce survival show ‘Kingdom’, iKON announced a reality show and hinted at a group comeback possibly by the end of the year. Fans love the boy group’s reality shows as there is unprecedented chaos when all of the members get together. And that is exactly what happened in ‘iKON’s Type: One Summer Night’. But it was also an outlet for Junhoe aka Ju-ne to express his frustrations over his career and solo opportunities.

The concept for this ongoing variety show is for iKON to have a healing trip as they enjoy themselves. It also calls for them to get honest and have deep conversations with one another. In episodes five and six, the boys did talk about solo debuts. We also saw Junhoe overcome his fear of water and heights by going on a water slide. Fans cheered him while also noticing that in the episodes, he talked about wanting all of the members to have solo activities. He shared this concern once again in this week’s episodes.

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iKON shares never-before-told stories

With episodes nine and ten airing on September 17, fans have been trending Junhoe and tagging his agency YG Entertainment. Since it was the penultimate episode of the 12-episode show, the boys got serious. iKON told stories that they hadn’t shared before with Jinhwan aka Jay confessing that he didn’t want to change but stay the same with the members even when they got older.

Donghyuk aka DK reminisced about the time when they first met when they were 16 and recalled how nice the older members had been to the younger ones. iKON was also given a mission of sorts to predict each member’s food tastes and order late-night meals. Yunhyeong aka Song boasted that it will be easy since they all know what everyone likes. Whether this is accurate will be revealed in the last two episodes. But we also got a segment in this week’s episodes where Junhoe got frank with Bobby.

Junhoe gets candid

While on the trip, Junhoe was roommates with Bobby. And he confessed that lately he had been having several moments of frustration. He explained, “There were many things I wanted to do, such as writing a book or a musical, but the opportunity didn’t come. I feel like I have to do something now.” Bobby comforted him by saying that he was still doing well at the moment.

While Bobby and former iKON leader and member B.I aka Kim Hanbin have solo careers, the rest of the iKON members do not. Fans have noticed that Junhoe, Donghyuk and Jinhwan have been expressing their wish for solo activities for all of the members. But their agency YG has not complied. And it looks like along with fans, even the members have gotten frustrated.

'Your time will come'

Expressing their irritation at YG, fans made tweets like, “I know junhoe won't hesitate to not renew their contract,” “Chanwoo has been vocal about his passion wanting to go back acting since YEARS ago. And now Junhoe, Donghyuk, and Jinhwan talking about they want to do solo activities. Imagine you still have to say this on your 6th year as an idol and your company give you nothing,” and “This is so frustrating like imagine all the potential wasted!?? he’s literally one of the most unique vocal tone in kpop, he’s a hot guy, stunning visuals, great physique, unhinged humor, soothing talking voice.. he’s literally a total package!! why is [redacted] wasting junhoe!!”

“Junhoe, pls wait a little more :( i know you'll achieve all these one day. ur time will come, it's just taking a while, but it will come & we'll be there to cheer u on! we love you,” said one iKONIC. Another added, “I still wish for Junhoe to release his own songs officially, to be able to write his books or musicals. I want him to publish his poems. I promise i’ll be there when that happens no matter when. You’re still young, love and you can achieve all these. We are here to support you.” One noticed, “Junhoe’s latest poem, his message on iKON’s anniversary and his mood on vlive… you can really tell Junhoe is really tired of yge..” Fans also brought back clips of him performing, “THIS MAN, KOO JUNHOE COULD CONQUER THE WHOLE WORLD WITH HIS GODLY TALENT,” and “Junhoe could go far with his powerful and unique vocals. sadly, his company is yg.”