“Xenophobia!” SM Entertainment’s Treatment Of Popular Idol Incites Fury

SM Entertainment‘s treatment of Hearts2Hearts member Carmen has sparked major fury among netizens ahead of the group’s comeback.

Hearts2Hearts are set for a comeback and have been releasing concept photos.

TEASER IMAGE : LEMON BEACH

Hearts2Hearts The 2nd Mini Album
【Lemon Tang】
➫ 2026.06.22 6PM (KST)

💿Pre-save/add/order #하츠투하츠 #H2H #LemonTang #Hearts2Hearts_LemonTang pic.twitter.com/PqvNAegRez

— Hearts2Hearts (@Hearts2Hearts) June 16, 2026

When the photos were shared, netizens hit back at SM Entertainment for giving Carmen such a drastically different outfit from everyone else’s, one they thought didn’t fit the concept and aesthetics of the group for the images. Carmen was wearing a skirt over long pants, while the other members had shorts or skirts on.

ini konsepnya gimana sih???? apapun alasan lu styling carmen pakai celana panjang ini gabisa dibenarkan. ini udah kelewatan banget.. nangis banget:(( pic.twitter.com/dOd0xnnH2m

— joyverse🌟 (@carmcoded) June 16, 2026

The clearer the photos get, the worse that styling looks. I really tried to stay positive, but it’s getting impossible. How hard is it to be fair and give all members the same styling concept? 😭 It’s a summer theme! Who goes to the beach in long pants while everyone else

— Sun🍋🐬 Rest (@suppasit_sun) June 16, 2026

Many thought that it could be what Carmen felt comfortable in, but fans hit back with photos of the idol’s usual style.

sm’s stylist vs carmen’s own styling pic.twitter.com/FS15Q36tYH

— Luv (@Luvpinks2u) June 16, 2026

Yet, while some tried to claim it wasn’t that much of an issue, fans hit back at that by sharing that SM Entertainment has a history of “xenophobia,” which was being seen again with Carmen, not just in the styling but in past issues with her being treated “differently.”

non-fans and interfans saying “it’s not an issue” or “it’s not that deep” seriously need to stop talking over actual fans. SM being xenophobic isn’t exactly a secret. carmen is the only foreign member in her group, and little by little SM keeps treating her differently. they… pic.twitter.com/BtNzEjREOD

— sagi (@carmenopi) June 17, 2026

Yes, sm is actually being microagressive towards her. They have a history of being xenophobic, reworking snsd choreo to put her in the back etc. It may seem little but when compiled it’s 🚩🚩. They’ve done the same to Giselle before multiple times.

— Camon Moov (@Moov83101) June 16, 2026

persoalan carmen, yang kemaren ngomong

“perkara celana doang”
“ gitu doang kok sampe protes “

nih kalo diliat ulang banyak banget dan dari dulu ….

makasih buat kaka pemilik akun siksok @.nsidsty_ udah bantu rangkumin

aku jabarin semua dibawah ya👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/JnjG5r833v

— zeed✨ (@ahyeoncards) June 17, 2026