ENHYPEN is returning to paint the world in orange with their fifth mini-album, ‘Orange Blood,’ consisting of six tracks. While fans are excited about the new music, some people expressed discomfort in supporting the album because one of the tracks, “Sweet Venom,” features the Philippine-American influencer Bella Poarch. Read ahead to find out why she is controversial enough to cause a boycott.
Fans On ENHYPEN’s “Sweet Venom” Featuring Bella Poarch
ENHYPEN has been teasing their upcoming comeback for a while. They also uploaded a TikTok with the caption Guess Who? hinting towards a featuring artist. Due to the classic ponytail appearance, fans were soon to figure out that it was none other than the influencer Bella Poarch.
#ENHYPEN ORANGE BLOOD Tracklist#엔하이픈 #ORANGEBLOOD pic.twitter.com/Tz4VrDuEKb
— BELIFT LAB (@BELIFTLAB) November 5, 2023
Their predictions received the nod of the group when they unveiled the Orange Blood tracklist, including a song named ‘Sweet Venom’ featuring the controversial star. Poarch has been making headlines for supporting Israel in the ongoing conflict with Palestine. She also has a reputation for allegedly being insensitive towards the Korean community.
Many fans expressed feeling disappointed, angered, and uneasy in supporting this comeback. Due to this, ENHYPEN’s ‘Orange Blood’ promotions are getting clouded, with the fans dividing up in supporting and boycotting.
Some of the fans are discussing whether their protest trucks demand alteration in the track, while others are planning to sit out from the comeback. Some ENGENEs have urged to simply boycott the ‘Sweet Venom’ version featuring Bella Poarch. Many are still continuing their support for the popular fourth-gen boy group. Read some of their reactions below.
just to be clear let’s also just not engage with any enha content that is filmed with bella poarch. im sure there’ll be lots of other content we can enjoy and like just please avoid everything with her in it (i know it’s going to sound like mission impossible knowing engenetwt)
— ن (@enhacentric) November 5, 2023
it’s very easy for you guys, do NOT listen to the version with bella poarch and instead focus on the version without her! thats how easy it is to not give money to a zionist and terrible person please you guys its the least anyone can do pic.twitter.com/5E55FFS8uJ
— ن (@enhacentric) November 5, 2023
Here’s a tutorial on how to hide the bella poarch featuring so you don’t stream it accidentally ~ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/a6uwVjhXfU
— maria (@heeiIu) November 5, 2023
https://twitter.com/wonhrtz/status/1721300837044023791?t=nzJoTefKbOORS2ZPDCVlUA&s=19
Is Bella Poarch Zionist and Xenophobic?
The Philippine-American influencer has been engaged in controversies for a couple of years now. Firstly, she got a tattoo of the rising sun with an anatomy heart in the center. This symbol is controversial as it represents Japanese imperialism and their actions during World War 2.
a reminder that bella poarch is a zionist with a rising sun tattoo pic.twitter.com/zw0vLMGOZX
— autumn (@ghiblijoonies) November 5, 2023
After many of her followers pointed out the troubled history of the symbol, Poarch uploaded an apology and shared that she was going to erase and cover it up. Since then, she has also expressed her respect and love towards Korean culture. However, fans have remained in disbelief because she was stationed in Japan while working in the U.S. Navy.
She has also constantly been in the headlines for being a supporter of Israel due to a comment in the past where she wrote that she loves the country. However, she hasn’t disclosed her stands regarding the ongoing Israel and Palestine conflict.
ENGENES PLEASE LISTEN 🙏
not only is bella poarch a zionist but she also stirred up so much shit between koreans and filipino people because she had a rising sun tattoo. she was attacked for this and rightfully.
please boycott her collab with 3nha. pic.twitter.com/Sk93WQc2yY
— enhypen edit📌🎸 (@bakedazed) November 5, 2023
Due to these controversies, many have labeled Bella Poarch as a zionist and xenophobic. She has since apologized for her short thinking while getting the tattoo. Her comment about Israel was also during a fan interaction. One cannot conclude that she is an active zionist or xenophobic towards Koreans.
Alas, we will have to wait to see how the track ‘Sweet Venom ft Bella Poarch’ performs on the charts following the release of ENHYPEN‘s ‘Orange Blood.’ The pre-orders of the album have opened since October 16, and the album is slated to release on November 17, 2023.
