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On Monday, September 16, footage of EXO's Baekhyun allegedly vaping indoors landed on the internet. The video was from the time when the idol went to Macau for his solo schedules. In the footage, he was seen smoking at a restaurant in Macau, where he was surrounded by people.
Netizens began to criticize him for his actions. Many also pointed out that it's considered illegal to smoke indoors in Macau. However, fans soon began to defend the idol and stated that he could smoke as an adult as he was entitled to his own actions.
While people agreed that he shouldn't have smoked indoors where it affected the others around him, the criticism he received for smoking as a behavior was defended by fans.
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"leave him alone."
"he sounds like THAT with THOSE lungs?? and he's been doing it before debuting god really has favourites," said a fan on X.
"sm's secret to good vocals being smoking," stated another fan.
"i fr cant take ppl seriously who think vaping is a reason to get an idol cancelled," added a fan on X.
More fans come forward explaining that the EXO member shouldn't be criticized for smoking.
"oh this event from like 3 months ago…suddenly posting it now during his comeback— HE IS ON SOMEONE’S # 1 ENEMY LIST," said an X user.
"who tf cares if he smokes lmao he is a grown a*s man, the only bad thing here is he did it indoors, he apologized and reflected.. now move on," added another fan.
"if a grown man wants to smoke then he should smoke i’m not his mom," stated an X user.
"Haters acting like their favs do not smoke! When their favs smoke it’s grown man act and when baekhyun did, oh no he’s so bad! Look I don’t justify his indoor smoking but at least don’t play innocent," said an X user.
EXO Baekhyun's agency INB100 releases apology statement in response to the recent indoor smoking allegations
On September 16, soon after footage of EXO's Baekhyun smoking indoors landed on the internet, his agency, INB100, released a statement. They explained the situation and apologized for the idol's actions. They stated that Baekhyun and the agency weren't aware that it was illegal to smoke indoors in Macau.
The statement read,
"We sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable regarding the recent incident involving our artist's indoor smoking, which has been circulating online. At the time, neither the idol nor our staff were aware that Macau prohibits the importation of electronic cigarettes."
The statement explained the incident with the following,
"During a meal with staff after the Macau performance, as the conversation deepened, Baekhyun unconsciously used an electronic cigarette. He deeply regrets his careless actions and sincerely apologizes for disappointing many fans."
They continued,
"Both the idol and our company will ensure that such incidents do not happen again by exercising greater caution, and we promise not to disappoint fans with similar situations in the future. We will also do our best to show a more mature side of Baekhyun."
INB100 concluded its statement by expressing that it would make sure that such incidents would not occur in the future.
The singer released his fourth mini-album, Hello, World, on September 6. It contains six tracks, including the lead single Pineapple Slice.
