Former Heeseung, now promoting under the stage name EVAN, has become the center of unexpected online speculation after an old interview featuring members of TXT resurfaced on social media.

The controversy began when a previously circulated clip of Soobin and Taehyun discussing their trainee days gained renewed attention.

In the video, the two idols recalled that Beomgyu, who was added to the debut lineup shortly after joining BIGHIT MUSIC, initially faced negative reactions from some fellow trainees who struggled with how quickly he had been selected to debut.

According to their story, one trainee reportedly found the situation so emotionally difficult that he sought psychological counseling after being unable to accept Beomgyu’s rapid inclusion in the debut lineup while he himself did not make the team.

However, Soobin also added an important detail: the trainee in question later debuted as an idol and eventually became one of Beomgyu’s closest friends.

The interview did not identify the trainee by name.

After the clip resurfaced, some internet users began speculating that the unnamed trainee could have been EVAN, formerly Heeseung of ENHYPEN. The theory spread quickly across social media, with some users claiming that EVAN had been “jealous” of Beomgyu during their trainee years.

Despite the growing discussion, there is no public evidence confirming that Soobin and Taehyun were referring to EVAN.

Neither the original interview nor the members themselves identified the individual involved, and no official source has linked EVAN to the story.

Many fans were quick to defend the singer, arguing that the speculation relies entirely on assumptions rather than verified information.

Supporters also pointed out that EVAN and Beomgyu have appeared to share a friendly relationship over the years, making it difficult to reconcile the rumors with their publicly observed interactions.

Others noted that even if the unnamed trainee experienced disappointment during the highly competitive trainee process, feelings of frustration or insecurity would not necessarily indicate lasting resentment. Trainee evaluations are widely known to be emotionally demanding, and many aspiring idols have spoken openly about the stress and uncertainty they experienced before debuting.

Some fans further emphasized that seeking psychological counseling—if the story accurately reflects what happened—should not be viewed negatively. Rather, they argued that accessing mental health support during an intensely competitive period would be a responsible decision.

As the discussion continued, many users criticized the tendency to assign identities to unnamed individuals based solely on internet theories. They urged fans to avoid spreading unverified claims that could unfairly affect an artist’s reputation.

🐿️ beomgyu hyung probably had the toughest time back then because he had to do everything the debut line had to do as soon as he joined
🐰 it was a very very exhausting schedule and the incredible thing about beomgyu is…the fact that he pulled off that schedule is incredible and… pic.twitter.com/OpwAKow7HX

— 💬 (@translatingTXT) September 25, 2025

At the time of writing, EVAN has not commented on the speculation, and neither BIGHIT MUSIC nor BELIFT LAB has addressed the rumors.

For now, the claims remain unconfirmed fan speculation. While the resurfaced trainee story has reignited discussion about the pressures of idol training, there is no verified evidence that EVAN was the trainee described by Soobin and Taehyun or that he was “jealous” of Beomgyu.