BINI Touches Down in Dubai Amidst Controversy
Members of the P-Pop sensation BINI have officially arrived in Dubai for their much-anticipated stop on the BINIverse World Tour 2025 at the Coca-Cola Arena on Sunday, May 18. Dubai marks one of the first international destinations for this chart-topping girl group, which kicked off their tour with a sold-out performance at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan earlier this year.
Shortly after landing, BINI shared their gratitude with fans in the UAE, expressing, "Thank you for making us feel at home, Dubai Blooms!" Alongside this warm message, they gave a heartfelt shoutout to their global fanbase, acknowledging the overwhelming support and excitement surrounding their world tour.
The Controversy
However, BINI’s arrival comes at a tumultuous time. Just days before their flight, a viral video emerged involving several members—Jhoanna, Stacey, and Colet—and two men, identified as Ethan David of the P-pop boy group GAT and dancer Shawn Castro. In this video, the group appeared to make light of a deeply controversial topic, joking about the sexualization of a minor, which many fans found inappropriate and contradictory to BINI’s stance on women empowerment.
This incident surfaced just as Jhoanna and Gwen were graduating, adding to the emotional strain the group has been experiencing.
Fan Reactions
Despite the controversy, many fans—referred to as Blooms—remain supportive and enthusiastic about the upcoming concert.
Rosan, a social lead at a Dubai firm and a mother, shared her sentiments: "I understand that what they did is against their women empowerment stance; however, don’t we all make mistakes? It is part of their story as binibini (young women)." She plans to attend the concert with her five-year-old daughter and expressed that the way BINI handles their mistakes will contribute to their character-building.
Similarly, 30-year-old Benj Marlowe, a "casual" fan celebrating his birthday at the show, mentioned he wasn’t concerned about the controversy. He’s excited to experience BINI live with friends.
Another fan, H. Padilla, acknowledged her disappointment but affirmed her plans to attend. "The tickets are booked and we’ve prepared for this. We’ll still go," said the 28-year-old engineer, looking forward to making great memories with friends.
BINI’s Response
In light of the backlash, BINI issued a formal apology across their official social media platforms. The statement, signed by all eight members—Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena—took full accountability for their actions and asked for understanding from fans.
The group acknowledged the triggering nature of the past few days, stating, "We know that the past couple of days have been triggering and disappointing for all of you. We deeply regret our mistake and sincerely apologise to our Blooms, friends, families, and the general public."
They also quietly postponed their livestream send-off party, originally scheduled for the same day the video circulated, with no further details announced about rescheduling.
Looking Ahead
Despite the ongoing controversy, BINI remains an ascendant force in the music industry. Just before they departed for their tour, they were named to Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list—a milestone they described as unexpected and humbling. Jhoanna remarked, "It feels like a great start for our world tour."
Following the concert in Dubai, the BINIverse World Tour 2025 will take them to the U.S., Canada, the UK, and other regions in the Middle East, signaling a major milestone for a group steadily building their reputation as global P-Pop icons.
With fans eagerly anticipating the show and BINI navigating this challenging moment, the concert presents an opportunity for the group and their dedicated followers to reaffirm their connection and look forward to a bright future filled with music and growth.
