BIBI on Prejudice of Being 'Dark IU': "Even my younger sibling is hesitant to hang out with me"

Singer BIBI has opened up about the unexpected difficulties hidden behind her unconventional image. While she showcases bold performances on stage and displays a strong presence with her unrestrained wit, she revealed that among those close to her, she even faces perceptions such as "won't people be influenced if they hang out with BIBI?" While revealing the reality where the joking nickname 'Dark IU' has somehow followed her into her human relationships and image, she left a bittersweet lingering feeling behind the laughter.

In the tvN variety show 'Sixth Sense: B-Side' broadcast on the 4th, Yoo Jae-suk, Song Eun-i, Go Kyung-pyo, and BIBI searched for unique restaurants that were more fake than real, along with Choi Yena and Jeong Jun-ha. On this day, the extraordinary friendship between BIBI and Choi Yena particularly drew attention. Choi Yena stated that they have maintained their connection through variety programs, starting from BIBI featuring on her debut song, and added, "We also meet frequently in private."

Choi Yena boasted of their special friendship, saying of BIBI, "Her personality is so fiery. I only think about things and can't act, but she acts immediately." In response, Yoo Jae-suk instead expressed concern for her agency. It was a joke about how the agency might feel about a junior artist with a relatively mainstream image, like Choi Yena, being close to BIBI.

BIBI's answer was unexpectedly calm. It was a single phrase: "Because they might be influenced." Furthermore, she made the studio erupt in laughter by confessing, "Even my younger sibling's company is hesitant to let them hang out with me." Song Eun-i retorted toward BIBI, "Aren't you the Dark IU?" and BIBI appealed her unfairness, saying, "I am completely wholesome." Yoo Jae-suk also chimed in, saying, "If you get to know her, she's not that kind of friend," but when BIBI sang 'Bam Yang Gang' to emphasize her pure image, he teased her again, saying, "It's 'Gang' (gangster)," drawing bursts of laughter.

This scene may seem like a simple variety show joke, but it connects to the way BIBI has been consumed by the public. In popular culture, the image of a female star often solidifies into a single 'character' much faster than their actual personality or life. Especially for female entertainers who actively utilize exposure or sexuality, a dualistic gaze easily follows, where stage performances are directly linked to private inclinations. BIBI's words, which she laughed off as "Because they might be influenced," contain the meaning that she herself is feeling such prejudices.

In fact, BIBI has built an intense image through unconventional stages and honest words and actions over the past few years. Last July, at 'WATERBOMB SEOUL 2026', she faced controversy regarding indecency after delivering a bold performance. The scene of her unzipping a white jumpsuit and performing while kneeling among male dancers became a hot topic online. However, BIBI has explained her performance philosophy by saying, "It's worth the money," stating that her principle is to make the audience who visited the venue feel as much joy as they paid for.

Ultimately, the image BIBI shows is difficult to explain with just one image of an 'unconventional star.' While she exchanges unrestrained jokes on broadcasts and chooses bolder expressions than anyone on stage, she expresses unfairness regarding the stereotypes directed at her. It is a paradox where, as a price for gifting an intense image to the public, her real self is trapped within that image.

On this day, Yoo Jae-suk finally personally vouched for her character, saying, "Watching her, BIBI is not that kind of friend." To BIBI, these words might have carried more meaning than a simple variety show comment. This is because there is a clear distance between an unconventional stage and a real person, and a star's image is merely a representation consumed by the public. This is also why BIBI, while brushing off the nickname 'Dark IU' with laughter, constantly says, "I am not that kind of person."

Meanwhile, in this broadcast, unique places appeared, ranging from an Indian vegetarian restaurant with over 200 menu items to a fusion snack bar where customers draw their own orders, and a cafe where one makes their own coffee using AI. Jeong Jun-ha poured out evaluations typical of a restaurateur at every restaurant, and Yoo Jae-suk added to the laughter by retorting, "Did you come here to do Alley Restaurant?" BIBI also led the atmosphere of the program with her unrestrained wit, proving her unique variety character once again.