A California idol group known as Sorb3t on TikTok has gone viral after posting a since-deleted call-and-response video.
The group, which fits by the names Alice, Berry, and Ashe, is what is called abroad idols or kaigai idols in J-pop tradition. They launched themselves in a call-and-response type video on TikTok on Wednesday, Might 24.
“So cute! Whats up, we’re Sorb3t! We’re an idol group primarily based in California, and at present we wished to show you about our calling and our responses,” pink member Berry introduced.
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What drew probably the most backlash got here when Berry herself launched into her private name and response.
“Whats up everybody. My identify is Berry, and I am the chief and pink member of Sorb3t,” she mentioned. “I begin by saying ‘Strawberry!’ and then you definately repeat, ‘Blueberry!’ and once I ask, ‘Who’s everybody’s candy idol?’ you are going to say ‘Berry-chan!'”
“Good, however did the second must say strawberry like that…and their band’s music might be in English, so like…” commented one viewer, referring to Berry announcing “strawberry” and “blueberry” with an obvious Japanese accent.
One other particular person commented, “Is j pop or ok pop within the room with us rn?”
“And I assumed I used to be delusional,” another person joked, utilizing the favored fan abbreviation for the phrase delusional.
“I shed a tear watching this,” one other particular person mentioned, whereas one other agreed, “the strawberry accent sends me.”
The group has since deleted the viral video and Berry posted an apology video on the group’s TikTok account which now has over one million views.
“I sincerely and wholeheartedly apologize to everybody I upset or offended with my name and response,” she mentioned.
She continued, “I, as a white particular person, have an insane privilege, and I’ll by no means really perceive the struggles that individuals of colour undergo.”
Berry went on to elucidate why she selected to say her name and response in Japanese, regardless of the group aiming to launch music in English.
“Once I lastly have my very own tracks, I plan to launch solo music virtually completely in Japanese,” she revealed. She additionally added that her boyfriend is Japanese and “unintentionally” created her call-and-response signature after the 2 mentioned her “idol profession.”
Berry claimed she opted for call-and-response as a result of she loves the “strawberry aesthetic” and her on-line deal with is “related to blueberries.”
Followers nonetheless weren’t shopping for the apologies within the feedback part, just like the one who mentioned, “PLS THE BF CARD IS CRAZY.”
One other particular person exclaimed, “UR VOICE CHANGED LMAO.”
Watch Berry-chan’s apology video beneath:
And regardless of the backlash, Berry revealed that she already has a brand new call-and-response lined up for the group’s subsequent efficiency on Saturday, Might 27, which they introduced in one other TikTok video.
See extra reactions to the Sorb3t controversy, beneath: