Idol Group Member Still Believes In Santa, Management Urges Fans To Play Along

An idol group’s notice has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter) for its wholesome request to fans.

On November 25, the official account of a local Japanese girl group, Idol Class NEW, posted a message with an ardent request to fans. In the first few lines, it was revealed that the notice was pertaining to Umekawa Seira, one of the members of the group, who is also a sixth grader.

Umekawa Seira | @seira414_new/Twitter

The message further elaborated that being an elementary school student, Umekawa still believed that Santa Claus exists in the real world. So, in order to protect her childlike wonder, the older members of the group consulted with her parents and decided to approach fans with a request. The group urged fans to play along and pretend that Santa actually exists when they interact with Umekawa.

In the notice, the group apologized for the “unreasonable” request, explaining that they wanted to preserve whatever little childlike innocence Umekawa has left in her while working hard among adults.

【梅川せいらに関する大切なお知らせ】

ご一読ください。 pic.twitter.com/8UPW7Jxnna

— アイドル教室NEW✨2024.9.22（日）お披露目しました✨ (@idolclass_new) November 25, 2024

The notice urged fans to act like Santa exists while posting on social media, in case Umekawa came across any posts. The management also urged them to not speak to Umekawa directly about this request, and to lower their voices in case they wanted to talk about it with the older members.

The notice has gone viral on X as netizens can’t stop swooning over the adorable request put forth by the idol group.

This is so wholesome https://t.co/Yi6qxqil75 pic.twitter.com/NuINpopJ54

— なるど (@beru_narudo) November 26, 2024

This local idol group has a member in 6th grade that still believes in Santa. So they’re asking for everyone’s cooperation in acting like Santa exists if they ever talk to her. https://t.co/GNCysCchHh

— David (@davidguy__) November 25, 2024

However, many international netizens were also left gravely concerned over the fact that a sixth grader was already working as an idol.

this is cute until u reflect on why a 6th grader is being an idol https://t.co/yRZtL9UuR3

— ana (@katamiraiwo) November 26, 2024

young enough to be indulged about santa existing but old enough to be in the public eye in one of the most exploitative industries on earth https://t.co/weCaQ66OQm

— magha menace🪑🤩😏 (@lesbianoikawa) November 26, 2024

Girl she should be in a classroom not an idol group https://t.co/IcIYAdAcSQ

— Yuqi’s left pinky toe🇵🇸 (@yqsleftpinkytoe) November 26, 2024

While J-Pop fans argued that the idol industry in Japan differs drastically from that of K-Pop, the debate about how appropriate the job is for someone of Umekawa’s age aha refused to slow down.

Which side are you on?