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fromis_9's Lee Chaeyoung Addresses E-Cigarette Controversy for the First Time in Three Years


July 19, 2026
fromis_9's Lee Chaeyoung Addresses E-Cigarette Controversy for the First Time in Three Years
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The situation
Lee Chaeyoung of fromis_9 has finally addressed the e-cigarette controversy that sparked heated debate among netizens in 2023. In a preview for the YouTube channel "Ipman Yeolmeon," Lee Chaeyoung mentioned the incident, stating that she uploaded a photo with an e-cigarette in it and received calls from the e-cigarette company. This is her first public comment on the issue in three years.

What the internet did with it

  • Netizens had mixed reactions at the time, with some saying "Adults can smoke" and others commenting that Lee Chaeyoung's image would take a hit.
  • The controversy initially started when Lee Chaeyoung posted a photo on social media that appeared to include an object believed to be an e-cigarette, fueling smoking rumors.
  • — "She has to accept the drop in her image" was a common sentiment among those who disapproved of her actions.

The open question
The question remains whether Lee Chaeyoung's belated address of the controversy will be enough to shift public opinion, particularly with fromis_9's new release "Glow ME" on the horizon. Her comments may have reignited the debate, leaving the outcome uncertain.

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Top Comments from Reddit

u/estranjahoneydarling
Some of y'all really live up to the kpop fan stereotypes. Doing the absolute most for the stupidest things.
u/Acrobatic_Prize_7749
I saw the clip, but she never denied that she's not a non-smoker though? All she says is that a lot of e-cigarette brands contacted her after the photo went viral. Like idgaf if she smokes or not, but the title of this post and article makes it sound as if she denied being a smoker or something.
u/yebinkek
she said “a vape got caught in the pic” so she’s saying the vape isn’t hers lol
u/Acrobatic_Prize_7749
Is that what that means? Saying that the vape was caught in the pic doesn't necessarily mean she's denying it either.
u/yebinkek
we don’t have the full context yet but it’s not too far fetched to assume that if it was her vape, she wouldn’t have joked about it, no?
u/Deca089
That's not what it says. She only admits it's a vape (could be something else after all, like an inhaler, toy or instrument) while keeping ownership ambiguous. Could be hers, could be someone else's. It doesn't really matter anyway it's not a big deal
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