Lee Chan-won Sparks Buzz with Comments on Trot Fan Age: 'Under 50s are Babies'

Trot singer Lee Chan-won has garnered attention for his remarks about the age demographic of his fans, stating, 'We don't see anyone under 50 as women,' and adding, 'When they're in their late 30s or early 40s, they're like babies.'

Appearing as a guest on the JTBC entertainment program 'Knowing Bros' on the 8th, alongside Sunmi and Song Min-jun, Lee Chan-won responded to the question of whether fan service differs by genre with this observation.

He explained that the biggest difference between idol fanbases and trot fanbases seems to be the issue of appellations, citing the difference in fan ages. 'There are fans who are like mothers or grandmothers,' he said, 'but if we call them 'mother' or 'madam' in a typical situation, they really dislike it and get offended.'

When Lee Soo-geun asked how they should be addressed, Lee Chan-won suggested, 'You should call them by their names. Like, 'Mal-ja,' or 'Kyung-sook, born in '44, is here?'' Lee Chan-won enthusiastically agreed, saying, 'That's correct.'

He further revealed, 'I actually receive DMs where they call me 'Oppa,' but when I look at their profile pictures, they're holding their granddaughters,' showcasing his affection for his diverse fanbase.

Lee Chan-won's comments were met with a mix of amusement and understanding from Korean netizens. Comments such as 'He's so honest, it's funny,' 'That's just Lee Chan-won's charm,' and 'The trot fandom culture is truly unique' were prevalent. Many fans also chimed in with agreement, stating, 'We like being called 'Oppa' too.'