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Following several incidents with pride flags at recent events, rookie group XLOV’s agency is under fire for announcing a new rule that fans say “screams homophobia.”
| @XLOV_official/XFollowing XLOV’s concert in Warsaw, Poland earlier this week as part of their 1st Europe Live tour, concert promoter 5 Oceans Studio released a statement on Instagram on behalf of the group’s agency, 257 Entertainment.
In the announcement, the promoter explained that 257 Entertainment has decided that “no flags will be displayed during concerts.” The statement went on to claim this rule reflects XLOV’s own aim to “create a neutral and welcoming space where every fan can feel equally represented and comfortable,” adding that it was instated “out of consideration for all communities and individual beliefs.”
This announcement comes after multiple incidents involving pride flags at XLOV’s recent events. Earlier this month during promotions in the Philippines, a member of staff was seen confiscating a rainbow fan during a photo opportunity.
muti and haru were so happy to see this fan with a pride flag fan until the staff shut it and took it from them.. :/ they looked visibly disappointed pic.twitter.com/gYBTmXE24O
— jana (rui’s my gf) (@kfcrui) October 10, 2025
At the group’s Warsaw show this week, fans also reported that member Rui was “yelled at” harshly by staff for attempting to pick up a pride flag on stage.
i couldn't see it from where i was standing but apparently this is what happened yesterday https://t.co/OqxBCQ69hT pic.twitter.com/5yrbNWbbTz
— kalmia ✿ misses xlov (@oneoflov) October 10, 2025
Footage from the concert shows Rui reaching for something on the ground before backing away after hearing instructions from staff offstage. Meanwhile, fellow member Wumuti was seen holding a Polish flag without any issue.
i will take the video down if needed since it's not mine and i don't know who to credit. you can't see the flag because of the recorded angle but people are saying it was there https://t.co/FVdmCsOtqi pic.twitter.com/3Z7kOXrgjf
— kalmia ✿ misses xlov (@oneoflov) October 10, 2025
Now, fans across social media are furious about both the new “disgusting” new concert rule and the justification behind it.
This is absolutely pathetic concerts were never a “quiet and neutral space” the blatant queerphobia and censorship you are currently trying to put on fans of XLOV is disgusting. https://t.co/qQCS1cY4pL
— 𝕽𝖆𝖗𝖆 – seeing xlov TODAY (@ruiraras) October 11, 2025
oh so we're just being homophobic now? "every fan feel represented and comfortable without being defined by a symbol" yeah we wouldn't want to oppress the straights now would we! the horrors!!! https://t.co/nLNJtGcsFN
— ;이바나오나나;⁰⁵²³ (@wowkwan_ace7) October 10, 2025
Many are accusing 257 Entertainment of queerbaiting alongside homophobia and transphobia, particularly given XLOV’s androgynous concept and large LGBTQ+ fanbase.
https://t.co/N0Pgj33puv pic.twitter.com/Few1f9BpiG
— lee (@givmeenergy) October 11, 2025
im sooo serious if you are uncomfortable with queerness in any way (aka queerphobic) why the fuck are you an evol. it doesnt make sense. xlov is embodying queer defiance when it comes to gender presentation & will naturally attract a queer audience. what about them ISN'T queer?
— mez⁷ :-P 🍉 (@tboyzwithfun) October 10, 2025
Others say they’re unsurprised by the agency’s decision given previous statements. Following the group’s debut in January this year, CEO Park Jae Yong claimed that the group’s members “do not identify as genderless in terms of identity — this is simply a concept we chose to differentiate ourselves from other groups.”
ever since the ceo pulled this shit I've been suspicious pic.twitter.com/uZdchzT7AB
— noël🐛❤️🔥🦇(xlov) (@evolmuti) October 10, 2025
Fans are also slamming 5 Oceans Studio’s implication that the members endorse this new rule, given that they have openly supported their LGBTQ+ fans several times in the past.
to address another elephant in the room… I hate how at the top of the page there's a huge "XL0V STATEMENT" with the group logo to make it seem like the members had a say in this(when in reality, it's just the french tour agency), seems like they're trying to intimidate us too💀 https://t.co/MnzE33BpVN
— noël🐛❤️🔥🦇(xlov) (@evolmuti) October 10, 2025
Earlier this year, a fan shared a video call experience in which the XLOV members stated their intentions to support queer and transgender fans by changing industry-wide rules that only allow government names, rather than preferred names, to be signed on albums.
I wanted to thank our xlovies as a trans person myself for pushing change in the kpop industry and standing up to companies to ask every single one of them to add the nickname option instead of our legal name to sign albums to:, I’m so thankful for XLOV, they are our safe space🩷 pic.twitter.com/cjiZJ9DU4h
— 1&Only Van !! ❤️🔥 Rui’s Bestie (@dreamjixian) August 11, 2025
In further comments on Instagram, 5 Oceans Studio defended the decision, clarifying that fans should not bring flags to upcoming concerts at all, even if they are not intending to hand them to the members.
oh now they're being cheeky in the comments too ??? tf is this for real pic.twitter.com/qDon2dWXNd
— ari⁷ (@seamphonies) October 10, 2025
In response, many fans are planning to bring even more pride flags to upcoming shows as a form of protest. After the success of their 1st Europe Live, the group recently announced their first full Europe tour beginning next February, with a lineup of 11 countries from Iceland to Greece.
so everyone going to the germany stops make sure u ALL bring a pride flag https://t.co/aMu01qu15o
— ruan🐰 (@junjissi) October 10, 2025
https://t.co/ODhhtJCxvt pic.twitter.com/pdw3eLdxxh
— Aldyce⁷✨ Seeing XLOV D-5 🖤 (@madebyaldyce) October 10, 2025
Over the past few years, pride flags have become increasingly common at K-Pop concerts, particularly in North America and Europe. In contrast to 257 Entertainment’s view, many fans feel the flags make concert spaces more inclusive rather than uncomfortable.
imagine not wanting this https://t.co/ZKLBuBesj5 pic.twitter.com/IkRG8FcBtZ
— vik (@taeninini) October 10, 2025
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