Hearts2Hearts Dokdo Omission Draws Criticism During Lemon Tang Comeback Promotions

Hearts2Hearts Dokdo discussion has become a major point of attention during the group’s Lemon Tang comeback rollout after a promotional image appeared to show South Korea without Dokdo. The disputed teaser, featuring member Stella in a weather-presenter concept beside a map, was criticized by Korean netizens before being removed and replaced with a revised image that included Dokdo.¹

The issue emerged during pre-release promotions for Hearts2Hearts’ second mini album Lemon Tang, which is scheduled for release on June 22, 2026.² The controversy has drawn attention because Dokdo is controlled by South Korea while Japan also contests sovereignty over the islets, making map depictions a politically sensitive issue in Korean public discourse.¹

Hearts2Hearts Dokdo Omission In Lemon Tang Teaser

The controversy centered on a Lemon Tang promotional image showing Stella posed as if presenting weather information beside a map of South Korea. Reports said Korean netizens noticed that Dokdo did not appear on the map, prompting criticism toward SM Entertainment over the omission.³

Koreaboo reported on June 7, 2026, that the criticized image was later removed and replaced with a corrected version that included Dokdo.¹ IDN Times also reported on June 9, 2026, that the image had been deleted and replaced by a revised version including Dokdo.²

Zoom TV Entertainment reported that no evidence had surfaced to support claims that the omission was deliberate. The outlet also reported that SM Entertainment had not publicly responded at the time of its article on June 7, 2026.³ Based on the available source material, the confirmed sequence is limited to the release of the teaser, online criticism over Dokdo’s absence, and replacement of the image with a corrected version.

The political sensitivity of the issue comes from Dokdo’s status in South Korea-Japan relations. The islets are controlled by South Korea and also claimed by Japan, a context cited by multiple reports explaining why a missing Dokdo marker in a South Korea map can become controversial.²

Comeback Schedule Continues Around Lemon Tang

The image controversy unfolded alongside Hearts2Hearts’ broader comeback schedule. Soompi reported that the SM Entertainment rookie girl group officially announced a June comeback at midnight KST on June 1, 2026, with Lemon Tang set for release on June 22 at 6 p.m. KST.⁴

Dispatch / DIPE reported SM Entertainment’s announcement that Hearts2Hearts would release the second mini album Lemon Tang on various music platforms on June 22, 2026. The album contains six tracks, including the title track Lemon Tang and the previously released RUDE!.⁵

In a press-release quote carried by Dispatch / DIPE, SM Entertainment said, “Hearts2Hearts will release its second mini album ‘Lemon Tang’ on various music platforms on the 22nd.”⁵ The same report said the comeback comes about four months after RUDE!, and described Lemon Tang as combining the tart image of lemon with the sharp taste suggested by “tang.”⁵

SM Entertainment also referenced the group’s earlier performance with RUDE! in another quoted statement: “Since Hearts2Hearts’ ‘RUDE!’ has maintained a top position on the charts for over three months, we ask that you anticipate an even more distinctive color from them.”⁵

The Lemon Tang rollout has included additional promotional material beyond the disputed image. Soompi noted updates including a schedule poster, a Lemon Solar System clip, and The LemonTang Syndrome trailer.⁴ Allkpop reported on June 8, 2026, that Hearts2Hearts released The LemonTang Syndrome trailer, summarizing it as showing the members together on a summer day before a lemon-related crisis unfolds.⁶

Response And Current Status

The available reports indicate that the most concrete action taken after criticism was the removal of the original teaser and its replacement with a corrected image including Dokdo.¹ That correction has become the central current status of the Hearts2Hearts Dokdo controversy in the available coverage.

The source material does not include a separate public apology, a detailed explanation from SM Entertainment, or evidence establishing intent behind the map omission. Zoom TV Entertainment specifically reported that no evidence had surfaced to support claims that the omission was deliberate, while also noting that SM Entertainment had not publicly responded at the time of its report.³

The Lemon Tang comeback remains scheduled for June 22, 2026, while the disputed teaser image has been replaced with a corrected version. Based on the available reporting, the controversy is defined by the original omission of Dokdo, public criticism from Korean netizens, the political sensitivity of the map detail, and the subsequent correction of the promotional image.

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Cloi Lee

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