“Of course RM gave it. Why does he go anywhere with his bandmates? He could have pulled a Siwon and done it solo,” one comment to The Korea Herald’s article about BTS’ UN speech read.

Another comment found in an online K-pop community reads, “I hope they don’t pull a Siwon and not include him in the dancing scenes of the MV (music video),” in reference to the absence of a member of another group.

These are some of the examples of “pulling a Siwon,” which appears to mean going solo or being singled out.

(Choi Si-won's Instagram)

The humorously sarcastic inside joke in the K-pop fandom is inspired by Siwon of veteran K-pop boy band Super Junior.

Siwon, who has enjoyed a great career outside the group as an actor both in TV and film, stands out among the bandmates as he is often seen socializing with high-profile figures including Lee Soo-man, founder of his agency S.M. Entertainment.

In a photo he uploaded to Instagram in June, Choi was photographed with Lee and captioned the photo, “I admire all that you have accomplished and achieved so far.”

(Choi Si-won's Instagram)

“Pulling a Siwon” can have another more controversial meaning as well.

In an online thread about Girls Generation, one commentator wrote that the bandmates are “untouchable” and can save themselves when they “pull a Siwon.”

This usage is in reference to controversy after Choi’s dog Bugsy bit a woman in her 50s and severely wounded her. The woman later died. The scandal sparked nationwide debate over the use of dog muzzles.

By Yim Hyun-su (hyunsu@heraldcorp.com)