Popular K-Pop Group’s Prank Leading To Member Crying Sparks Hugely Divided Reactions

ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1) has sparked hugely divided reactions after a prank led to a member crying.

To celebrate Sanghyeon’s birthday, they posted a special video.

In the video, the idol got pranked by his older members and got sulky, even crying, until they told him what was happening.

sanghyeon got all sulky after got pranked so the hyungs and the staff treating him like a baby… 😭 pic.twitter.com/4rsBRuG3jc

— 🪽 (@sanghteon) September 27, 2026

noooo the way the prank was supposed to go on until they arrive at the hotel. but as soon as sanghyeon started crying they decided to shower him with compliments and bail on the prank instantly, then reveal it at the restaurant my babyyy DONT EVER DO THIS TO HIM AGAIN😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ytD5FVT10f

— m🦁 (@whistlleo) September 27, 2026

broo i feel bad for sanghyeon bcs he cried in the bathroom after their emergency meeting (bday prank) at the hotel before they ate and he was gone again for 10 mins 😭😭 AND I LEGIT CRIED WHEN ARNO STARTED GIVING SANGHYEON COMPLIMENTS 😭😭 then they revealed it to him that it was… pic.twitter.com/cIFUbEpDg5

— 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐚 ⟡˖ ࣪ (@luckyhaoge) September 27, 2026

Some netizens shared extreme criticism towards the prank, feeling that it went too far in making the young idol cry.

I would have left the group after this honestly

— nys ˖ ݁ ❀ (@hengyudebuted) September 28, 2026

Im not laughing

— aries (@flare_u) September 27, 2026

i really hate how big baekgu accs treat this like it’s the funniest thing ever when he is clearly crying 😭😂 can we address thing properly. im so tired of watching everyone downplaying every situation when it comes to him

— ★⁠ (@nyasqer) September 27, 2026

Everyone in the quotes pretending like they’d genuinely enjoy being yelled at for their birthday as a prank and calling people with basic empathy ‘friendless’ because it’s kpop idols doing it. Just admitting to having zero self respect. 😭

— jin (@angaebbang) September 29, 2026

Yet, some hit back at the backlash, saying it was just a joke with close friends and that people were creating unnecessary drama.

K-pop has become so boring. Nowadays, groups can’t even joke around with their maknaes without people coming in and creating unnecessary drama. This is Sanghyeon, happily holding his balloons after finishing the surprise party his favorite hyungs prepared for him. 🫠…

— 📁 (@leowondiary) September 27, 2026

if this happened in today’s kpop twt… oh Brother, Y’all would hv 50 think pieces by now. NGL Y’all would turn this into a national emergency 😆 pic.twitter.com/QLAsYTDOsL

— ★ (@antbele) September 27, 2026

people in quotes here are so dramatic and cruel.Sanghyeon is VERY LOVED by ald1 members,He’s an F type and is more emotional than others +it was a prank,not a real behaviour. He was scolded not bulled! He is 18 old, young but not a baby. He can say if he doesn’t like something. pic.twitter.com/TNTuIbWMcB

— alina | allyz | | SET THE TEMPO (@alina_zdes) September 27, 2026