RESCENE’s first-place encore performance for “With” has sparked a heated online debate over the group’s live vocals, after viewers said some members struggled during the November 10 broadcast of SBS Life’s The Show.
The five-member group took the top trophy for “With,” the title track of its fourth mini album “PULSE,” on the November 10 episode of The Show. Moments after the win was announced, the members took the encore stage to celebrate with fans and perform the song live. Sports Chosun reported that the criticism began almost immediately after the broadcast.
Encore stages are known for exposing raw vocals, since the backing track is played at a much lower volume than on a regular performance stage. With the AR barely audible, the members’ actual singing was laid bare, and viewers pointed to unsteady pitch and breathing from some members, while others held their notes steadily. Reactions online split quickly.
Comments after the broadcast ranged from blunt criticism to measured defense. “Some members were shaky on live, but others clearly did well,” one viewer wrote, while another said, “The song isn’t easy to sing.” Others were harsher: “I hope they practice live more to match their soaring popularity,” one comment read, and another warned, “If they can’t deliver on the basics, they’ll hit a wall someday.” Defenders pushed back, arguing that it was unfair to judge the whole group’s vocals as one when several members sang the song stably.
The debate arrives at the peak of RESCENE’s breakout run. “With” reached No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 within two hours of “PULSE” going on sale on November 3, and the album sold 602,688 copies in its first week, making the group a first-time half-million seller, according to Hanteo Chart data released November 10. The five-member act — Woni, Liv, Minami, May and Zena — debuted in March 2024 under The Muze Entertainment, and its rise has been fast: “LOVE ATTACK,” first released in 2024, climbed back to No. 1 on Melon in July 2026, and the group picked up its first music show trophy that month. It also collected four trophies at the 2026 Korea Grand Music Awards on November 7.
No official statement was available from The Muze Entertainment. RESCENE continues its second week of music show promotions for “PULSE,” with more stages ahead — and more chances to answer the criticism where it counts, on stage.
