SEOUL: K-pop stars Sunye, formerly of the Wonder Girls, and Choi Si-won of Super Junior, have sparked a wave of backlash after posting tributes to late American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot in August. Their posts, seen as controversial endorsements, drew heavy criticism from fans and netizens, forcing both idols to swiftly delete the content. Many fans expressed disappointment, announcing they would unfollow the idols. Critics noted that Kirk was a polarising figure in the U.S., known for hardline views on politics, gender, and race — making public support for him particularly contentious. As criticism mounted, both stars retracted their posts.