QWER faces criticism head-on once again.

QWER has been no stranger to controversy. Their unconventional debut, coupled with their unexpected success, has ruffled the feathers of traditional K-pop fans. The group’s background—featuring members from streaming platforms and social media rather than traditional idol training systems—has led some fans to insist, “QWER isn’t a real idol group.”

But QWER has refused to back down. Instead, they confronted the criticism directly with their track “Fake Idol,” defiantly singing, “They call us fake, but we keep making noise.” Their lyrics challenge prejudice with lines like, “Let’s bloom flowers over tinted glasses,” signaling their determination to break stereotypes and thrive.

This bold stance resonated with the public. Their second mini-album, “Algorithm’s Blossom,” and title track, “My Name is Clear,” topped Korean music charts, including Melon, Genie, Bugs, and YouTube Music. They also set new first-week album sales records and secured multiple music show wins, including MBC M’s Show Champion, MBC’s Show! Music Core, and Mnet’s M Countdown.

Despite their rising success, criticism hasn’t faded. This time, rock music fans have raised concerns, questioning whether a band without self-composed songs should be considered a real band. Unlike the more niche, instrument-focused style of traditional rock groups, QWER’s pop-infused sound has sparked debate. When they were nominated for Best Band Performance at the 2024 MAMA Awards, the discussion grew even more heated.

Once again, QWER refused to stay silent. They responded with a YouTube video titled “How Can We Be a Band Without Self-Composed Songs?”, announcing the launch of their self-composed music project. The video details their concept planning, copyright distribution, and production process, giving fans an inside look at their creative journey.

Facing criticism takes courage. If their first self-composed song falls short, it could hurt their reputation rather than enhance it. Even leader Chodan acknowledged the risk, joking, “No matter how well we do, this could still be a stain on our career.”

Yet, just as they challenged idol stereotypes, QWER is now taking on the ‘real band’ debate head-on. Instead of retreating, they’re embracing growth and transformation, proving that success isn’t about fitting into traditional molds but evolving beyond them. With each year, QWER continues to level up, making it impossible not to root for them.

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