"WAR IS OVER": Fans celebrate NCT Lucas' return after a two-year-long hiatus

On February 1, 2023, NCT Lucas posted a dance video on Instagram, his first post revealing himself since the beginning of his hiatus back in 2021. With fans speculating what this could mean for Lucas and hoping for the announcement of his return, another Instagram post only further convinced them that the idol was set to make his comeback soon.

Around the same time as NCT Lucas' post, the CEO of SM Entertainment, Chris Lee (Lee Sung Soo), posted a picture of him and Lucas seated together, erasing all questions from fans on Lucas' possible departure from the company, given his consistently increasing hiatus period. The CEO also commented on the idol's dance video.

However, lack of any official statement to clear the air around all the accusations raised against Lucas' cheating scandal has continued to upset fans.

Fans agree that the reconstruction of the idol's image and explanations for allegations made against Lucas are more important than a rushed comeback. As a result, fans are afraid that the company will resume the idol's activities without any statements that support or explain Lucas' position.

Fans trend "WeLoveYouLucas" after NCT Lucas returns to his idol activities following a lengthy hiatus

In less than an hour after fans learned of NCT Lucas' return, Twitter and other social media platforms were flooded with celebratory posts and speculations about his comeback, given that Lucas was away and inactive for over two years. Naturally, the news began to trend under many keywords, including "We Love You, Lucas."

Given the unexpected nature of the announcement, many went feral over the news and are still in disbelief over the legitimacy of his return. However, fans aren't completely satisfied with the news. While posting a picture of Lucas along with SM Entertainment's CEO is a big step taken by the agency, the uncertainty surrounding the idol's current circumstances has frustrated fans.

With no official statement declaring how and when NCT Lucas will be resuming activities, fans continue to be plagued by unanswered queries. Whether he'll continue as a WayV member or if he's still a part of SuperM are some of the many questions raised by the vagueness of his return. Meanwhile, fans who are happy about his return have an additional issue to face amidst their celebrations.

Many netizens, including some NCTzens, are unhappy about Lucas’ return and have voiced their dislike towards the idol. After Lucas' post of his dance practice made the rounds online, people were throwing criticisms against the idol, nitpicking his dance skills, and being unwelcoming of his return in general.

The split in fandom has also led to concerns among fans since it inevitably gives rise to many disputes, disagreements, and fights between NCTzens who support Lucas and others who don’t. This deeply affects the fandom since much evidence to prove the fabrication of Lucas' bullying and cheating scandal has surfaced, proving his innocence.

The rising dispute and mixed feelings from netizens is the very reason that fans are demanding an official statement from SM Entertainment to help clear the air around NCT Lucas. Regardless, the majority of fans have showcased their love and support for the idol, rejoicing at the news of the end of their long wait.

As NCT Lucas moves forward with his activities as an idol, fans are curious about what he has in store for them and are waiting for an official announcement from the entertainment agency for a proper explanation regarding Lucas' current circumstances.

About the author

Aishwarya is a pop culture writer who covers K-drama and K-pop at Sportskeeda. After completing her Bachelor's in English and Communication Skills, she sought a job that allowed her to explore her passion, and being a K-pop and K-drama reporter felt like the ideal fit. Aishwarya has 3 years of experience under her belt and previously took on several internships in the industry that further motivated her in choosing writing as a career.

Aishwarya believes in conducting extensive research and verifying facts with the help of reputable sources to produce accurate articles. She also spends a significant amount of time on Twitter to understand how netizens are reacting to the latest trends in the industry before crafting her content.

She admires SUGA from BTS for his dedication to his work and aspires to immerse herself into the things she loves, just like him. If she could go back in time, she would jump at the opportunity to be part of ""Reply 1988,"" a K-drama set in a time when neighborhood relationships were cherished and interpersonal connections were of utmost importance. Although she loves how technology has advanced, she would also love to experience living in an era before it was invented.

When Aishwarya's not writing and reading about the latest developments in the industry, she spends her time crocheting, sketching, cycling, reading Mangas, and cooking.

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