A recent comment made by iKON member/solo artist Bobby at a fan sign has ignited a heated debate on an online community. 

During the fan sign, Bobby chatted with a fan who also told him that she was a fan of B.I. In response, Bobby said, "Please take good care of Hanbin." 

Ever since B.I announced his departure from iKON in 2019 and was subsequently found guilty for illegal drug use, the members of iKON have made it clear that they are not on bad terms with their former group mate.

In fact, in 2020, when the group released their first album after becoming 6-members, the album (iKON's 3rd mini album 'i DECIDE') featured 4 songs with B.I credited as a composer and lyricist. 

While other members such as Donghyuk and Kim Jin Hwan have displayed their friendship with B.I on SNS from time to time, such as by wishing him a happy birthday or leaving comments on B.I's posts, Bobby has undoubtedly been the most vocal member in expressing his support for B.I. 

Some time in 2023, Bobby shared his thoughts on the tense situation between iKON, their fans, and B.I explicitly:

Now, with Bobby actively promoting the recent release of his 3rd full album 'Sir. Robert', the issue has become a topic of discussion on an online community once again.

Some commented,

"If they decide to stay close privately, that's up to them but... during promotions or on social media, it's best not to mention him."

"It's fine if they stay friends but just don't mention him when you're promoting as iKON! Don't link the group name we love with a drug user!"

"I guess to iKON, illegal drugs isn't a crime."

"If they want to stay buddies then the fans will just have to leave." 

"Plenty of K-Pop idols out there. No need to feel obligated to support a group that's friends with a criminal."

"I understand that they are real good friends but I also understand that some fans can't forgive him."

"Even after all these years, iKON is still 'that group that did drugs'."

"This is why I left a long time ago... it was too much to see the members going back to being friends as if nothing happened."

Meanwhile, others felt,

"How can you expect them to just pretend like someone who is obviously a good friend to them doesn't exist? And even if he said that during a fan sign, a fan sign isn't actually meant to be public either."

"Drug users need to feel that they can still be accepted by society, not shunned by it for their mistakes. I don't think what Bobby said is wrong."

"Honestly they should have gotten together as 7 members after leaving YG."

"Are there still fans who support iKON but don't want to see them interacting with B.I? Like, what are you still doing? Do yourself a favor and just spend your energy somewhere else. Most of the fans that are still here now are fine with it."

"Isn't a fan sign supposed to be a private conversation between a fan and their idol? It seems like someone just wants to stir up hate."

"Even if they acted like they cut off all contact with iKON, some people would probably still be mad, going, 'How can you just cut off your old friend like that, you're heartless'..."

"I don't see a problem with the members making decisions themselves to stay friends with him. The only thing that is officially controversial is that they used B.I's songs for the comeback. I'm sure a lot of fans were upset by that."