A comment made by TXT’s Beomgyu on the latest episode of KBS Idol Human Theater has set off yet another debate on the cultural differences between the West and South Korea. Many netizens allege that the comment was fatphobic, while others believe that the fault was not of the idol but of the fans thinking from a one-dimensional perspective.As part of their comeback promotions for The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION, TXT appeared on Idol Human Theater. During a segment, the host asked TXT’s Beomgyu if the members were “small-eaters.” The 21-year-old replied that they were “big eaters” and referred to them as “pigs” after forgetting the term for it.For many, it was simply a matter of not being able to remember the word, as user @_TitanJ_ tweeted:"On top of that, it's been dragged out of context as Beomgyu was referring to big eaters. Why does everyone's mind drift to fat people when big eaters are mentioned? Big eaters =/= fat people"Temptation Enthusiast 𖣘⁷@_TitanJ_@txtjnk On top of that, it's been dragged out of context as Beomgyu was referring to big eaters. Why does everyone's mind drift to fat people when big eaters are mentioned? Big eaters =/= fat people183@txtjnk On top of that, it's been dragged out of context as Beomgyu was referring to big eaters. Why does everyone's mind drift to fat people when big eaters are mentioned? Big eaters =/= fat peopleHowever, others called out TXT’s Beomgyu for being fatphobic.TXT’s Beomgyu alleged fatphobic comment prompts a debate within the fandom on the cultural differences between the West and South KoreaTXT made an exciting comeback after nearly eight months with The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION on January 27, 2023. The latest album showcased the mature and seductive side of the five members. While fans were thrilled about the album's release, a recent variety show appearance has caused them some trouble.The Sugar Rush Ride singers appeared on Idol Human Theater, a docu-comedy series, showcasing the idols using their wit to perform a skit without a script. Additionally, it asks questions related to the story they put out.TXT’s story was about celebrating New Year’s at their grandmother’s house, which is usually filled with food and fun times. During an interview with the producer, TXT’s Beomgyu mentioned that half of the members liked eating a lot, calling them big eaters. He then said:“The other half are pigs.”☆@sseradolIthats actually a messed up thing to say2558415thats actually a messed up thing to say https://t.co/F0PYtfRlPgThe comment did not sit well with many K-pop fans, especially international ones. They claimed that the sentence was fatphobic as it implied that people who eat more are fat. Many also commented on Twitter threads and stated that it allegedly wasn’t the first time that the Sugar Rush Ride group members had made fatphobic comments.ExTeenageRobot Redux@girllwithluvAnd when I said a majority of idols are fatphobic I was the bad guy. twitter.com/sseradoli/stat…☆@sseradolIthats actually a messed up thing to say17117thats actually a messed up thing to say https://t.co/F0PYtfRlPgAnd when I said a majority of idols are fatphobic I was the bad guy. twitter.com/sseradoli/stat…☆@sseradolIwhen will they learn this is just upsetting40141when will they learn this is just upsetting https://t.co/HfNzmAgdROrin | manifesto freebies 📌@noturnoona_where is the "hold them accountable with their mistakes and fatphobic remarks"? moas should stop keeping these under the rug. they will never learn and stop saying something like this if y'all just tolerate them and use the "friends" card twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…☆@sseradolIthats actually a messed up thing to say60880thats actually a messed up thing to say https://t.co/F0PYtfRlPgwhere is the "hold them accountable with their mistakes and fatphobic remarks"? moas should stop keeping these under the rug. they will never learn and stop saying something like this if y'all just tolerate them and use the "friends" card twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…Meanwhile, many jumped to defend TXT’s Beomgyu and the group by calling out the nuances of the Korean language and cultural differences. Some mentioned that South Koreans call heavy eaters “pigs” since the animal eats a lot, but it does not translate into them looking like a pig or having a body like it.Moreover, some fans even added that being a big eater did not directly mean that someone was fat but just a person who can eat a lot. They also reminded people of the many times the TXT members defended each other after fans body-shamed the members in a way.Weariness@6YskY4tw87YHafY@beomkkyu13 Saying that "pigs" eat more does not equate to size discrimination. Why does eating more equate to fat? My friends and I have said that we hope beomgyu can eat more food like a little pig to keep healthy. I think their misinterpretation is an insult to my East Asian culture.5@beomkkyu13 Saying that "pigs" eat more does not equate to size discrimination. Why does eating more equate to fat? My friends and I have said that we hope beomgyu can eat more food like a little pig to keep healthy. I think their misinterpretation is an insult to my East Asian culture.ً@taennitusthis is not even fatphobia, the literal expression is "i ate like a pig" here in my country it is also used ? twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…☆@sseradolIthats actually a messed up thing to say311thats actually a messed up thing to say https://t.co/F0PYtfRlPgthis is not even fatphobia, the literal expression is "i ate like a pig" here in my country it is also used 😭? twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…✘₊ lara⁷@j_mytime_He was answering a question about who eats the most between him and his friends in a comedy skit. Baffles me as someone who grew up struggling with weight seeing ppl associate someone being called a pig to fatphobia. It’s almost as if YOU believe that someone overweight = a pig twitter.com/sseradoli/stat…☆@sseradolIthats actually a messed up thing to say64074thats actually a messed up thing to say https://t.co/F0PYtfRlPgHe was answering a question about who eats the most between him and his friends in a comedy skit. Baffles me as someone who grew up struggling with weight seeing ppl associate someone being called a pig to fatphobia. It’s almost as if YOU believe that someone overweight = a pig💀 twitter.com/sseradoli/stat…suzume toshirou 🧚 🪟@SuzumeToshirouJust because the term 'pig' is used to represent fat/ugly or any other insult in your country doesn't meant that it represent the same meaning in korean. Korean used pig as symbol of wealth/greedy. We shouldve learn about the context before judging something. twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…☆@sseradolIthats actually a messed up thing to say555thats actually a messed up thing to say https://t.co/F0PYtfRlPgJust because the term 'pig' is used to represent fat/ugly or any other insult in your country doesn't meant that it represent the same meaning in korean. Korean used pig as symbol of wealth/greedy. We shouldve learn about the context before judging something. twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…앟@cranky0_0*Long thread, translator usedLet me tell you about the meaning of calling someone a 'pig' in Korea. Actually, calling someone as a pig is not such an agressive/offensive expressions in here. (Of course, it's when you're in a close or affectionate relationship.) twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…☆@sseradolIthats actually a messed up thing to say962371thats actually a messed up thing to say https://t.co/F0PYtfRlPg*Long thread, translator usedLet me tell you about the meaning of calling someone a 'pig' in Korea. Actually, calling someone as a pig is not such an agressive/offensive expressions in here. (Of course, it's when you're in a close or affectionate relationship.) twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…anna ✢@odisfavemoa@gyugummyy its sad how they assume being big eaters = being fat like.. thats not what beomgyu meant and it says a lot if you automatically think that way 4@gyugummyy its sad how they assume being big eaters = being fat like.. thats not what beomgyu meant and it says a lot if you automatically think that way 😐mel~| i met devil by the window@iamfirstflower@AbiayaK Yeaaa soobin and beomgyu even defending yeonjun when they saw comment about yj being too fat. And kai regularly made tiktok content where he eats some food so moa will eat with him. Sorry my english is bad, i hope u get the point331@AbiayaK Yeaaa soobin and beomgyu even defending yeonjun when they saw comment about yj being too fat. And kai regularly made tiktok content where he eats some food so moa will eat with him. Sorry my english is bad, i hope u get the point🙏­­­­𑁯@49prodyjim not defending beomgyu in any way at all of what he said literally but i wanna make smth clear i think they made it clear in their korean culture when u call someone "pig" as someone who eats a lot amount of food and not in a meaning of being fat at all , plus its dumb for u + twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…☆@sseradolIthats actually a messed up thing to say8416thats actually a messed up thing to say https://t.co/F0PYtfRlPgim not defending beomgyu in any way at all of what he said literally but i wanna make smth clear i think they made it clear in their korean culture when u call someone "pig" as someone who eats a lot amount of food and not in a meaning of being fat at all , plus its dumb for u + twitter.com/sseradolI/stat…As of this writing, BIGHIT MUSIC and TXT’s Beomgyu are yet to respond to the allegations.In other news, The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION is performing incredibly well on the South Korean and international charts. Sugar Rush Ride debuted at Rank 38 on Spotify’s Global Top Songs chart. As reported by Hanteo charts, the group also sold 1.86 million copies on its first day of sales. This historic achievement makes them only the second group after BTS to surpass the 1.8 million mark.