A recent radio show appearance featuring BABYMONSTER has sparked major backlash online after veteran broadcaster Park Myung Soo was accused by viewers of making idol member Pharita visibly uncomfortable on air.

The controversy exploded after short clips from the broadcast began circulating across social media platforms and Korean online communities. In the now-viral video, Park Myung Soo repeatedly addressed Pharita using the word “señorita” in what many viewers interpreted as an overly flirtatious tone before suddenly asking the young idol what her impression of him was.

this radio show host kept flirting with pharita and kept pressuring her into sharing her first impression of him, whether she thought he was ‘handsome’ or not.. pharita looked visibly uncomfortable and confused

this is absolutely DISGUSTING. pic.twitter.com/QTZ9x0GPax

— lani (@baeglamz) May 13, 2026

When Pharita appeared caught off guard and struggled to answer immediately, Park reportedly continued pressing the question multiple times, rephrasing it in different ways instead of moving on. According to viewers, the atmosphere became increasingly awkward as the idol grew visibly flustered.

The moment that triggered the strongest backlash came when the host allegedly began offering answer choices himself, asking whether she thought he was “handsome or ugly.”

Many netizens argued that the interaction crossed the line from playful variety show humor into discomfort, especially considering the significant age gap between the two. Park Myung Soo is currently 55 years old, while Pharita is one of the younger members of BABYMONSTER.

Online criticism escalated quickly, with many viewers describing the exchange as “creepy,” “unnecessary,” or “hard to watch.” A large portion of the backlash centered not only on what was said, but on the visible discomfort fans believed Pharita showed during the conversation.

Some viewers argued that young idols are often placed in difficult situations where they feel pressured to remain polite and smile regardless of how uncomfortable they may feel. Others criticized Korean variety culture more broadly, saying certain older hosts still rely on outdated flirting-style humor that no longer feels acceptable to many younger audiences.

The controversy also reignited discussion surrounding Park Myung Soo’s past broadcasting behavior. Several netizens pointed out that he previously received criticism over comments directed toward Winter of aespa, leading some fans to argue that this is part of a larger pattern rather than an isolated incident.

At the same time, some viewers defended the host, saying his comments were likely intended as old-school variety banter rather than genuine flirting. Supporters argued that Park Myung Soo has built his entertainment persona around awkward humor and teasing interactions for decades.

However, even among people who believed there was no malicious intent, many still acknowledged that the clip felt uncomfortable to watch because Pharita clearly seemed unsure how to respond.

That distinction has become central to the debate now unfolding online.

For critics, the issue is less about intent and more about power dynamics. Pharita is still a relatively new idol navigating public appearances in a highly hierarchical entertainment industry, while Park Myung Soo is one of Korea’s most established veteran entertainers. Because of that imbalance, many fans feel young idols may not feel free to openly reject uncomfortable interactions during broadcasts.

The situation has also reignited wider conversations about how female idols — especially rookies — are treated during interviews and variety appearances. Fans increasingly expect hosts to create environments where younger celebrities feel safe and relaxed rather than pressured into awkward fan-service moments.

As clips continue spreading online, reactions remain intensely divided. Some see the backlash as fully justified, while others believe the situation is being exaggerated beyond Park Myung Soo’s original intent.

But regardless of perspective, one thing is clear: the short interaction has become one of the most heavily debated idol interview moments currently circulating in K-pop communities.