ENHYPEN Jungwon’s Recent Apology Triggers Criticism Of Former NCT’s Mark Lee 

Recently, ENHYPEN’s Jungwon issued an apology after fans called out his problematic actions.

ENHYPEN’s Jungwon | Weverse

On July 18, a TikTok was posted to ENHYPEN’s account, showing Jungwon performing a dance challenge with two dancers. The video has since been deleted, but focus was placed on the shirt that Jungwon was wearing.

The image depicts Sacha Baron Cohen as the character Borat from his mockumentary Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. The film has been deemed a racist and inaccurate portrayal of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh people, pushing stereotypes on a global platform.

Sacha Baron Cohen as the character Borat. | Amazon

The choreography in the video was also created by a Kazakh dancer, which led fans to try to bring it to his attention.

writing this thread to explain why so many Kazakh engenes were upset by the recent TikTok posted on Enhypen’s official account#Enhypen #Jungwon @ENHYPEN @ENHYPEN_members @BELIFTLAB @AsiaEnhypen pic.twitter.com/X7NP3EQgOo

— #russiaIsATerroristState 🇰🇿 (@emohaechan_) July 18, 2026

I noticed today that Jungwon from ENHYPEN was wearing a Borat tshirt while dancing to choreography by a kazakh choreographer☠️ #ENHYPEN #JUNGWON pic.twitter.com/0pg52jbarO

— karu moon (@karumoonn) July 18, 2026

Shortly after, Jungwon went live to address fans’ concerns, saying that he threw the shirt away and purposefully went live during a time fans in Kazakhstan would be awake.

jungwon apologized and said that he threw away the tshirt as soon as he learnt the meaning behind it he even checked the time in kazakhstan before opening the live

🐈 First of all, I want to apologize. I threw that t-shirt away right away. Even though I didn't know, if there… pic.twitter.com/pmvrCYCz67

— 🦊♡🐰ྀི | fan acc (@silentstarsnk2) July 19, 2026

With Jungwon’s personal addressing of the criticism directed towards the shirt, some could not help but reflect on a similar situation involving ex-NCT member Mark Lee.

Following his departure from NCT, Mark was involved in a series of controversies, including one where he was seen wearing a Confederate flag.

Mark Lee

The idol’s apology, criticized by some as impersonal, was compared to Jungwon’s with many pointing out that Jungwon apologized directly, and mentioned those who were affected.

not trying to praise the bare minimum here but wow mark's just one huge coward https://t.co/6rbUSl5xl8

— 💭 (@hyucktuah) July 19, 2026

jw's and m@rks situation is NOT same, he apologized properly, took accountability and literally went live to show his sincerity while m@rk released a chatgpt wroten apology and went to so aegyo do NAWT PISS ME OFF STAY AQAY FROM JW pic.twitter.com/xtfeZoLxYl

— lilya (@hyuckoomf) July 19, 2026

now i’m all pissed off thinking abt mk again cos how is jungwon getting on live and doing a full ass apology when he’s “bound to the company” where as mk is his own person now, running his own damn company and still couldn’t come out himself to adress the issue or apologise https://t.co/zbCRVCHlu2

— chenle’s gay gf ★ (@calicolele) July 19, 2026

Some of Mark’s fans came to his defense, sharing their thoughts that his apology was enough.

Mark did too. He apologized quickly.

When Mark apologized, many korean articles were published about his apology, admitting fault and expressing a commitment to preventing recurrence, without offering separate explanations or attempting to evade responsibility and they praised… https://t.co/zJqjEOuxaZ pic.twitter.com/rklvTnvXwL

— 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸🐯 (@igotchulee_) July 19, 2026

It’s somehow unbelievable the audacity present in the kpop community and that we know very well where it comes from, in wanting to put double standards in situations of equal offense. What do you mean you can dictate what is or is not more offensive? When they hurt your people…

— kollenz 𓏲ּ𝄢 (@markleevida) July 19, 2026

They want mark to go on live crying on his knees while burning the shirt or something.. even then they would find a way to dismiss his apology bc he speaks english and speaking english means you're mandatory to know every single thing about the world 😅 (only if you're mk tho)

— 🌻🐱🐯¹²⁷| #NCT12726 #No127NoLife (@markleesways) July 19, 2026

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