Popular idol group 2PM’s leader, Jaebum who has caused an outrage as captures of his negative comments on his personal website about Korea announced his resignation.
Jaebum posted a message on 2PM’s official fan cafe on 8th September, with the title to the post “This is Jaebum.” informing fans about his leaving of the group. He expressed his feeling out “I think it will be difficult for me to see you on stage because I am so sorry. I will be leaving 2PM as of today. I am so sorry because I have been a leader hyung who not only did not give vigor but became a burden.”
It was later discovered that Jaebum, a U.S. citizenship, posted Korean-offending messages on American networking website ‘MySpace’ between 2005 and 2007 while he was a trainee at JYP Entertainment. After that, it has caused an outrage. He wrote derogatory comments with curse words such as, “I hate Koreans. I wanna come back,” “Everyone thinks I’m like the illest rapper when I suck nuts at rapping.” Even if he posted a statement of apology immediately and left all TV programs where he was a regular member of the panel, netizens are still blaming him.
There are two different opinions among netizens. One is that “it is a natural result” and another is that “he is pitiful.” Jaebum left Korea on a flight at 6:30PM to be with his parents in U.S. for the time being.
*Here is a related article about Jaebum.
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ReplyDeleteI don't know much about this controversy, but I find it interesting. It is a great opportunity to evaluate what being "Korean" really is. For many, Korean is more than a nationality, but also a bloodline. However, there are generations of ethnic Koreans who don't identify with Korea or Korean citizens, but rather as ethnically Korean members of another culture.
If a Korean citizen made these comments, would the uproar against them be similar?
Dan
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ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment.
ReplyDeleteTruthfully, if a Korean citizen made these comments, Korean netizens might get angry but probably they wouldn’t care this much. That means if he were not a Korean-American, the uproar wouldn’t be similar to this. It sounds ridiculous. But, I think it is not because he is American, but because Koreans are quite sensitive to what they see as inappropriate remarks and acts toward Korea by stars and public figures.
Sorry about the video. I don't know why it doesn't work because it still works with my laptop. I will look for another video.
I think that it's my browser. I'm using Firefox, but Internet Explorer worked fine. I was able to see the video.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't talking about the criticism being greater because he is an American. I agree. I don't really think that is the csae. I was more referring to the belief (and governmental policy) that ethnically Korean IS Korean, which is certainly not the case. If you are born and raised in France, you're French, not just in terms of citizenship but mindset.
I bring this up because this guy had a bad day and decided to criticize the foreign country he was living in (Korea). This happen every day with immigrants and students living far away from home. They talk to their friends and criticize (often in an exaggerated manner) the people, customs, policies, and so forth of their country of residence.
I think a large portion of the negative feedback is this realization that this foreigner came here and criticized Korea when he was obviously benefiting greatly from being here. In return for Korean welcoming him in, he has nothing but criticism for it. This then bring about an old saying much loved by nationalists in many countries, "Love it or leave it." The chorus we now here is, "leave it."
Sorry, didn't mean to go on so long. Lots of ideas :)
Dan