STAYC's 'Phone Ban' continues despite winning No. 1, and fans are enraged

Rookie girl group STAYC is climbing up the success ladder more quickly than imagined. Especially considering that they're not formed under the Big 4 companies. The rookie group won their first-ever music show trophy on September 14's episode of 'The Show'.

A Swith (STAYC's fandom name) found that the group is still under the 'Phone Ban' even though they achieved No. 1 on 'The Show'. Debuting in November 2020, STAYC members revealed during a show that their company's CEO banned them from using phones until they earned the No. 1 trophy. But Swiths now believe that this was just a manipulation tactic.

STAYC's phone ban continues despite getting No. 1 on 'The Show'

STAYC won their first-ever No. 1 with their latest comeback, 'Stereotype', from their first mini-album on SBS' 'The Show'. The rookie girl group was up against fromis_9's 'Talk & Talk' and PURPLE KISS' 'the Swithsmbie'. With the hard work of Swiths, STAYC won with 8,760 points, leading to a tearful encore stage.

Back in April 2021 on Midnight Idol, STAYC revealed that their High Up Entertainment CEO Black Eyed Pilseung had imposed a phone ban on them, which would only be lifted when they get their first win.

However, now that the Swiths worked hard to give the girls their phones back, a Reddit Swith (r/kpoprants) found out that the girls are still under the phone ban. The Swith revealed that the group would only be given the phones when they win No. 1 on a public broadcasting channel, i.e., MBC's Music Core, KBS' Music Bank or SBS' Inkigayo.

These specific broadcasting channels are some of the toughest to win. However, fans believe that a win is a win. Especially now that STAYC has had their second win on Show Champion and the third today, on September 16, on M Countdown.

Swiths are enraged by the unfair treatment of the girls. They're also aware of the tough competition they will have ahead of them in public shows and upset over their previous hard work boiling up to nothing.

When the group achieved their wins, Swiths were over the moon celebrating the girls getting their phones back.

The phone ban is a common rule during trainee years or even at the start of their idol life. Although continuously deemed unfair and notorious, it still by and large continues.

SNSD's Tiffany and GFriend both had previously opened up about not being allowed to use their phones until their groups won an award. GFriend revealed it in 2016's 'Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend' show and Tiffany, in 2018, on the 'Zach Sang Show'.

STAYC is a six-member girl group consisting of Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon and J. Hopefully, the growth of a rookie group from a small company winning three back-to-back No. 1s, coupled with the Swiths' rage, might just influence High up Entertainment to lift the phone ban.

About the author

Afreen has been a K-Pop Content Specialist at Sportskeeda since 2021. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, along with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. Afreen has over 4+ years of working in various positions including being an entertainment content writer with Pinkvilla’s K-pop division Hallyutalk and CineDope, and as a copywriter at Flying Cursor.

As per Afreen, she loves her work because she gets to write about the things she is obsessed with. Her thorough research and following the two-genuine-source rule of journalism helps her produce the most accurate content, along with helping her be up-to-date with the industry.

Afreen has had the privilege to interview The Rose's frontrunner, WOOSUNG, and LIONESSES, K-pop's first openly LGBTQ+ group. She is a big fan of SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, BTS, and The Rose for their hard work, sincerity, and the comic relief their shows provide.

When she is off her shift, Afreen explores the streets of Nottingham in the UK, cooks, and listens to new music.

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