K-Pop Fans Demand Answers on Winwin’s Absence from WayV’s Japan Tour

The ongoing Japan tour of WayV, the Chinese sub-unit of K-pop powerhouse NCT, has triggered a fresh wave of disappointment among fans after it was confirmed that member Winwin (Dong Sicheng) would not be joining the group for the “No Way Out” concert series, which kicked off in Nagoya on August 17, 2024, and includes stops in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

The announcement, shared by fan account @nctpopbase on June 9, 2025, reignited long-held grievances regarding SM Entertainment’s handling of Winwin’s schedule, especially in light of his consistent absence from WayV’s key group promotions over the past year.

According to SM Entertainment, Winwin is unable to join the tour due to overlapping commitments with a Chinese drama project—a reason fans have heard repeatedly during earlier events, including WayV’s June 2024 return with the track Give Me That and the launch of their first Japanese EP, The Highest, marked key milestones. The official explanation has failed to appease fans, many of whom blame SM and the management team, Pris, and me for poor planning and lack of coordination.

A post from @wwfolder echoed widespread frustration, stating that Winwin had long dreamed of performing at the Tokyo Dome, and his absence should not be misinterpreted as disinterest. Instead, the criticism, fans argue, should be directed toward the agency, not the artist.

Back in May 2024, Winwin shared on LYSN Bubble that SM unexpectedly rescheduled the release of Give Me That from May to March, leading to a conflict with his prior commitments, directly clashing with his drama filming. Despite attempting to find a middle ground, he ultimately had to miss the comeback, which he described as unfortunate and beyond his control.

Fan communities on X and Reddit have been vocal about the perceived marginalization of Winwin within WayV and NCT activities. Some fans point out that Winwin hasn’t been included in any group promotions throughout 2024, including NCT 127’s first concert and WayV’s debut tour—milestones he has missed despite debuting in 2016.

Speculation is growing over whether SM’s decisions are unintentionally pushing Winwin out of WayV. On Reddit’s r/WayV_For_Life, some users expressed concern that SM’s mismanagement and scheduling conflicts might isolate Winwin, while others noted that toxic solo fans have encouraged him to focus only on his acting career.

Winwin established his own studio in China back in 2020, operating under SM’s Label V, which enabled him to focus on acting projects such as The Shadow and Sweet Games. Though SM clarified in 2021 that his acting studio doesn’t conflict with his role in WayV, the lack of consistent updates and coordination has left fans feeling misled.

Now performing as a five-member group (Kun, Ten, Xiaojun, Hendery, and Yangyang), WayV continues their Japan tour while fans trend hashtags such as #WinwinWelcomeBackToKorea, calling for improved treatment, transparency, and protection for the idol. With another EP titled Frequency scheduled for release on November 25—reportedly again without Winwin’s participation—concerns are mounting over his future with the group.

Unless SM Entertainment offers a clearer explanation and more inclusive scheduling, fans fear that the disconnect between Winwin’s acting pursuits and his idol responsibilities could result in a permanent split from NCT.