Fans have fiercely defended her.
KATSEYE’s appearance at the 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards gained major attention after the group participated in the event’s signature “slime attack” tradition. But what followed has sparked an even bigger conversation online.
During a post-show livestream featuring members Sophia, Lara, and Yoonchae, the group casually discussed how they cleaned up after being drenched in slime. At one point, Lara and Yoonchae shared that they had ended up showering together — a detail that quickly became a source of controversy due to Yoonchae’s age. She is 17 years old, while Lara is 19.
The two laughed about the situation, with Yoonchae saying she typically isn’t comfortable with exposing herself. Despite the lighthearted banter between the two, some users on X shared their concern.
Lara: But I was like ‘Can I come in with you?’
Yoonchae: You didn’t say that!
Lara: No but I was like hoping that you’d be like ‘Just come in!’ Because I know you don’t get down like that. (laughs)
Yoonchae: Yeah because I don’t really like exposing myself (laughs)
lara trying to get into the shower with yoonchae to wash the slime off but yoonchae doesnt get down with that 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/dX3Zm6BFpL
— wingyun (@foryoonchae) June 22, 2025
Later in the live, Lara clarified that they ended up showering “back to back,” showing that there was no inappropriate contact involved.
So Yoonchae gets in the shower and now we’re like back to back showering…
— KATSEYE’s Lara
KATSEYE Lara is under fire for attempting to shower with a minor. pic.twitter.com/HPFOjWNbOO
— Drop K-Pop (@DropKpop) June 22, 2025
Still, the interaction has led to heated reactions online. Some have voiced concern over the age gap and Yoonchae’s alleged “visible discomfort,” questioning whether the situation was appropriate. The fact that Lara is a legal adult while Yoonchae is still a minor added fuel to the debate.
Lara is almost 20 and yoonchae is a minor.. https://t.co/UivCy6QtL0 pic.twitter.com/8Jfr3SDHgX
— jia (@kebabjiaa) June 22, 2025
Its one to thing for two little girls to shower together but its another thing for a grown woman who is attracted to the same gender to peer pressured a reserved under age girl to shower with her. Yoonchae said she was uncomfortable with it,so its weird of Lara to still do it https://t.co/Tbi5RGGiWk
— ALIA (@twisted2101) June 22, 2025
Okay that’s weird… https://t.co/phDcL5c9U5 pic.twitter.com/8KmIxC3KO2
— 🪷 (@IncognitoThou) June 22, 2025
yoonchae is a minor and lara is not btw https://t.co/JSBPnzcBSJ
— Fae 🌿 (@MissKittins) June 22, 2025
However, others have come to Lara’s defense, emphasizing that the moment was shared in a lighthearted and harmless context. Supporters pointed out that Lara stated boundaries clearly and that Yoonchae ultimately made the decision to join.
“almost 20” she’s 19. “a minor” she’s 17. but when you put it that way it doesn’t sound as predatory so let’s exaggerate for the likes https://t.co/hVYOLY3IlG
— ericeffiorg (@ericeffiorg) June 22, 2025
I’m just letting yall know right now Lara stated her boundaries with YOONCHAE IN THAT LIVE 5 times. SHE MADE A LIGHTHEARTEF JOKE.
— sofia ♡ loves lara 🥪 is gnarly (@lara1stfan) June 22, 2025
And when i say yall only making it weird cuz lara is queer and you btches love to sexualize anything that has to do w queer women https://t.co/IxGDkXHrAy pic.twitter.com/WCyNGLlkY8
— 柑橘 (@wogod536) June 22, 2025
literally 90% of kpop groups have showered together at least once but y’all wouldn’t be making such a big deal if lara was straight https://t.co/lwVr32VIND
— alex🐦🔥 (@irenelosopher) June 22, 2025
Many believe the backlash is being exaggerated, especially given Lara’s past experience with unwarranted criticism since coming out as queer.
