BerryGood Johyun Breaks Silence: The Truth Behind Her Viral Ahri Cosplay

BerryGood Johyun sparked widespread controversy when she appeared as Ahri from League of Legends at OGN's 'Game Dolympic' event on June 17, 2019. Her costume, a one-piece bodysuit provided by event organizers, quickly became the center of heated online debate when critics deemed it "too revealing."

The controversy surrounding BerryGood Johyun's cosplay occurred during a promotional red carpet for the TV e-sports show "Game Dolympic 2019: Golden Card." While many fans defended her portrayal of Ahri, stating that critics "don't understand the game character," others scrutinized her outfit choice. This incident reflects a larger trend in K-pop, where idols often face intense scrutiny over their clothing choices, particularly when considered revealing.

Despite the backlash, JTG Entertainment, Johyun's agency, clarified that the outfit was pre-planned and provided by the event organizers, asking the public not to overanalyze the situation. Johyun herself eventually addressed the situation on Instagram, expressing gratitude to supportive fans and emphasizing the importance of respect regardless of gender.

The Event That Sparked the Buzz

The controversy surrounding BerryGood Johyun stemmed from her appearance at "Game Dolympic 2019: Golden Card," a significant e-sports competition organized by CJ ENM's game channel OGN. The event took place at OGN's eStadium in Seoul on June 17, 2019.

What is Game Dolympic 2019?

Game Dolympic represents Korea's first comprehensive e-sports competition specifically designed for celebrities and idols. The name itself is a clever fusion of three words: game + idol + Olympics. This entertainment-focused gaming tournament invited approximately 40 idols to showcase their gaming abilities across popular titles including League of Legends, Overwatch, and PUBG Mobile.

The competition featured two competing teams headed by Super Junior members Kim Heechul and Shindong. Contestants battled for "golden cards" through various games, with the team collecting the most cards declared the winner. Notable participants included NCT's Taeyong (who won in the previous year's competition), B1A4's Gongchan, and members from fromis_9, ASTRO, and Cherry Bullet.

Who is Ahri from League of Legends?

Ahri, the character BerryGood Johyun portrayed, is a fox-like vastaya from the popular game League of Legends. According to official lore, she possesses the ability to manipulate her prey's emotions and consume their essence. Notably, Ahri draws inspiration from the Korean mythological character Kumiho - a nine-tailed fox capable of transforming into a beautiful woman to seduce men.

As a mid-lane mage in the game, Ahri is known for her mobility and burst damage capabilities. Her distinctive appearance includes fox ears, nine tails, and an outfit that emphasizes her seductive nature, consistent with her character design.

Why Johyun chose this cosplay

According to Johyun's own explanation, her selection of Ahri was rooted in personal gaming experience. "When I first started playing League of Legends, I played the character of Ahri, so I wanted to try [dressing up] as her. That's why I wrote that on my pre-show questionnaire," she explained.

Furthermore, a representative from JTG Entertainment confirmed that "Johyun likes and enjoys games, and she wanted to communicate together with game users". This passion for gaming led her to participate in the event, where the costume was provided by the organizers after discussion with her agency. Her choice reflected both her genuine interest in gaming culture and desire to connect with fellow gamers through an authentic character portrayal.

The Controversy Over Her Outfit

Immediately following her appearance at the Game Dolympic 2019 event, BerryGood Johyun found herself at the center of heated online debates. What should have been a celebration of gaming culture quickly transformed into a controversy about appropriate attire for female K-pop idols.

Critics call the costume too revealing

The backlash began almost instantly after photos from the red carpet surfaced online. Critics labeled Johyun's Ahri costume as "too revealing" and "vulgar," taking issue with the bodysuit that faithfully represented the League of Legends character. In fact, as one source bluntly stated, she was criticized "essentially because she is an attractive human." The outfit, which featured Ahri's signature tails and ears along with a form-fitting design, adhered closely to the original character's appearance in the game.

Media coverage and public reaction

Subsequently, the controversy gained traction across multiple media outlets. South Korean publication No Cut News covered the story, as did international sites like SCMP and NextShark. Public reaction remained sharply divided - detractors condemned what they perceived as inappropriate attire for a K-pop idol, while supporters pointed out that she was simply portraying a character accurately. "Fans said those who condemned Johyun 'don't understand the game character,'" noted one report. The debate intensified to the point where Johyun checked her phone during the event and became visibly upset. "I was curious to see how my photos from the red carpet came out... That's how I ended up seeing people's comments," she later explained.

Comparisons to other K-pop idols

This incident fits into a broader pattern where female K-pop idols face intense scrutiny over their wardrobes. BLACKPINK's Jennie experienced similar criticism regarding her stage outfits, with fans noting the "cultural differences in fashion perceptions" that often fuel such controversies. Nevertheless, the reaction to Johyun's cosplay seemed particularly harsh given the context - she was dressed as a specific character for a gaming event, not performing on a music show. The controversy highlighted the double standards often applied to female entertainers, especially when their appearance doesn't align with conservative expectations.

Official Responses from Agency and Organizers

As the controversy escalated online, BerryGood Johyun's agency and the event organizers quickly stepped in to address the growing criticism. Both parties issued formal statements clarifying the situation and defending the idol against accusations of inappropriate attire.

JTG Entertainment's statement

In response to the mounting backlash, JTG Entertainment released an official statement to No Cut News addressing the situation. "After discussing with the organizers, she wore an outfit prepared for her in order to perfectly pull off the cosplay," a representative explained. The agency emphasized that the costume choice was not Johyun's personal decision but rather a collaborative effort with the event team.

JTG Entertainment additionally clarified Johyun's motives: "She likes and enjoys games, and she wanted to communicate together with game users." They firmly rejected any suggestion that the outfit was worn for attention, stating, "She didn't wear the outfit to be purposefully revealing. She was only trying to replicate the character." The agency concluded their statement by requesting the public to "refrain from interpreting it in the wrong way."

OGN's clarification on costume planning

OGN, the host channel for Game Dolympic, similarly confirmed their role in the costume selection. "It's true that we prepared the outfit for her after discussing with her agency," a representative stated. The gaming network stood firmly behind their decision, further explaining, "It was simply a cosplay of a game character, and so we ask that you refrain from overanalyzing it."

Was it really just cosplay?

Both Johyun's agency and OGN maintained that the cosplay was nothing more than an accurate character portrayal. According to later interviews, Johyun herself explained the selection process: "When I first started playing League of Legends, I played the character of Ahri, so I wanted to try [dressing up] as her. That's why I wrote that on my pre-show questionnaire."

The idol never assigned blame to any party involved. Instead, she expressed her intention for the cosplay to be appreciated on its own merits: "Everyone thinks differently about things, and rather than blame anyone, I just posted that message on social media hoping that people would see [my cosplay] for what it was, as an accurate portrayal of a game character."

Johyun’s Personal Response and Fan Support

Following days of public scrutiny, BerryGood's Johyun finally broke her silence through a heartfelt Instagram story addressing the Ahri cosplay controversy. Her personal response revealed both vulnerability and strength as she faced the unexpected backlash.

Highlights from her Instagram story

In her Instagram story, Johyun directly addressed the situation: "I wanted to portray Ahri accurately as she appears in the game... I didn't expect this kind of reaction." She clarified that her intention was simply to represent the character faithfully, not to create controversy. Additionally, Johyun expressed gratitude toward supporters who understood her perspective: "Thank you to everyone who saw my cosplay for what it was."

Emotional toll and self-reflection

The controversy clearly affected Johyun deeply. She admitted to checking her phone during the event and becoming visibly upset upon seeing negative comments. "I was curious to see how my photos from the red carpet came out... That's how I ended up seeing people's comments," she explained. Moreover, Johyun reflected on the experience, stating that she had learned valuable lessons about public perception and would continue to grow as an artist.

Fans rallying behind her

In response to the criticism, Johyun's fans quickly mobilized to defend her. Supporters flooded social media platforms with positive messages, emphasizing that her cosplay was an accurate representation of the character. Many pointed out the double standards often applied to female idols, with one fan commenting: "If a male idol had done this exact same cosplay, no one would have said anything." Consequently, hashtags supporting Johyun trended briefly as fans worked to counter negative narratives.

Messages of empowerment and respect

Throughout her response, Johyun maintained a message of mutual respect. "Everyone thinks differently about things, and rather than blame anyone, I just posted that message hoping people would see my cosplay for what it was," she noted. Beyond defending herself, Johyun used this opportunity to highlight broader issues of respect regardless of gender, encouraging fans to approach situations with understanding instead of judgment. Ultimately, this incident transformed from mere controversy into a meaningful conversation about artistic expression and respect in the K-pop industry.