Chiquita’s “Worth It” Stage Draws Debate After BABYMONSTER’s Seoul CHOOM Concert

BABYMONSTER member Chiquita’s “Worth It” stage has become the focus of an online debate after the group’s Seoul concert for the 2026-27 BABYMONSTER WORLD TOUR [춤 (CHOOM)]. The Chiquita controversy centers on a solo performance reported as a mashup of The Pussycat Dolls’ “Buttons” and Fifth Harmony’s “Worth It,” with criticism focused on mature staging and choreography involving a member described as 17 years old.¹

The performance took place during BABYMONSTER’s Seoul run at Jamsil Indoor Stadium, where the group launched the CHOOM tour from June 26 to June 28, 2026. YG Entertainment’s official Weverse notice stated, “The 2026-27 BABYMONSTER WORLD TOUR [춤 (CHOOM)] IN SEOUL will be held on June 26, 2026 (Fri) ~ June 28, 2026 (Sun).”²

Chiquita’s “Worth It” Stage Became the Flashpoint

치키타 워스잇 무대 Seoul music scene debate concept

Koreaboo reported on June 29, 2026, that a clip of Chiquita’s solo routine circulated online after the Seoul concert and sparked backlash. The report said viewers criticized the routine’s mature concept and expressed discomfort over a minor performing choreography they considered too sexualized.¹

Other concert coverage identified the stage as part of a broader solo segment in BABYMONSTER’s Seoul concert. Newsis described Chiquita’s performance as a “Buttons” and “Worth It” mashup and said it was delivered with a polished and confident stage attitude.³ Sports Kyunghyang also described the stage as “Buttons+Worth It” and noted that it was performed under red lighting.⁴

The debate has therefore developed from two overlapping facts reported in the available sources: Chiquita performed a solo cover stage during the Seoul CHOOM concert, and online criticism followed after a clip of that stage spread. The available source material does not include an official response from YG Entertainment or Chiquita addressing the backlash.

Solo Segment Was Part of the Seoul Concert Format

BABYMONSTER’s Seoul concerts included a main set and a solo-stage section. Sports Kyunghyang reported that the group opened the Seoul stop with songs including “WE GO UP,” “CHOOM,” “BATTER UP,” “DRIP,” and “SHEESH.” The same report said six members performed solo stages while Rami remained on hiatus for health reasons.⁴

Hankyung’s review listed Chiquita’s “Worth It” among several member solo cover performances. The article named Rora’s “Havana,” Asa’s “Temple,” Pharita’s “Super Bass,” Ruka’s “RATATA,” and Ahyeon’s “Problem” as other solo stages in the same segment, framing the section as a showcase of each member’s individual performance style and the group’s live-stage capabilities.⁵

SPOTV News also reported from the June 28 Seoul concert that BABYMONSTER presented six solo stages, including Chiquita’s “Buttons+Worth It.” During remarks at the final Seoul show, Ruka said the group had prepared solo stages again following the HELLO MONSTERS tour. Rora said that because it was the final day, she thought fans would have enjoyed seeing the members work hard on their solo stages.⁶

Those concert reviews place Chiquita’s stage within the planned structure of the Seoul performances rather than as a standalone event. However, the online reaction has centered specifically on whether the concept, styling, and choreography were appropriate for her age.

Online Reaction Focused on Age and Choreography

The available reports do not provide a measured count of posts, comments, or viewers involved in the debate. Koreaboo characterized the response as a “massive debate” and summarized criticism from netizens who said the routine was uncomfortable because Chiquita is a minor.¹

The public discussion also appears to be shaped by the songs involved. “Buttons,” originally by The Pussycat Dolls, and “Worth It,” originally by Fifth Harmony, are both widely recognized as mature pop performance tracks. The sources identify Chiquita’s solo as combining those songs, but they do not state who selected the songs, who directed the stage, or whether changes were made to the choreography for the concert.

That lack of confirmed production detail limits what can be concluded from the available record. The verified facts are that Chiquita performed the “Buttons+Worth It” stage during BABYMONSTER’s Seoul CHOOM concert, the performance was reported by multiple Korean outlets as part of the group’s solo segment, and the clip later drew criticism online over the mature routine.

BABYMONSTER Seoul CHOOM concert Worth It stage discussion concept

The controversy now sits alongside broader coverage of BABYMONSTER’s Seoul tour opening, which emphasized the group’s set list, member solo stages, and live performance format. With no official statement included in the available source material, the issue remains defined by concert reports and online reaction to Chiquita’s “Worth It” stage.