G-Dragon's Camp Says K-Pop Star Wasn't Wearing Blackface

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Says Trayvon Martin-like Instagram photo was both "HUGE misunderstanding" and reference to cover art from Big Bang mastermind's next solo effort



An Instagram photo of South Korean pop idol G-Dragon wearing what appears to be a hoodie and dark coloring over his skin was not meant as a comment on race or politics, according to a rep for the Big Bang leader.

"GD was simply wearing different facepaint colors and this is a HUGE misunderstanding," the spokesperson said in an email to SPIN. "The facepaint is only a color variation for his album cover which includes black, white, and red. It is in no way meant to be a political or racial statement."

The rep further clarified, "It’s being derived by a simple photo shoot where GD was using different facepaint colors for his upcoming album."

G-Dragon's spokesperson also said SPIN's article reporting on the image "is completely wrong and taken out of context."

The response comes after we reported on the photo, noting its resemblance to an iconic image of slain Florida youth Trayvon Martin and pointing out that it had drawn criticism online. Though the singer's Instagram account made no mention of Martin, the image bears an eerie similiarity to a meme that had Frank Ocean, Diddy, the-Dream, and others posting photos of themselves in a hoodie last year. (Rap-Up has a good collection of these Martin-inspired images.) Online forums Oh No They Didn't! and One Asian World previously pointed out an alleged connection to the Martin tributes.

G-Dragon is set to appear at KCON 2013, a K-pop convention in Los Angeles on August 24 and 25, and he is readying a new solo album. G-Dragon's 2012 "Crayon" was SPIN's No. 1 K-pop song of the year. His group Big Bang's "Bad Boy" was one of SPIN's 21 Greatest K-Pop Songs of All Time. Check out our coverage of a Big Bang concert in New Jersey here.

The original Instagram photo is below:

That's some Justin Bieber level of PR...

EDIT:
the official omona twitter has shared our open letter with authors from spin and the la times who wrote articles about GD.

Spin

Comments

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I agree with you that a lot of people (non US) don't know about blackface but once you know or are told about isn't it best to say "I'm sorry if I offended you, it wasn't my intention" and then not do it again?

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

I'm not saying that is ok to use blackface when you're trying to stereotype people. I'm only saying that you can paint your face black being clueless about another culture meaning. For example, in my city we go to see our team with blackface because it's the colour of our team.

By the way, I see people everywhere joking about Latin people all the time and I'm not making drama about it. Just because the idiots are them.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

"I'm only saying that you can paint your face black being clueless about another culture meaning"

I agree with you here, but GD is not clueless, this is not the first time so I'd say it's best for him to say "sorry" and not do it again

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

Maybe he knows something about "blackface", but why would he do it on purpose? And why do we have to be aware all the time about American culture? Probably lots of artists did something that could be misunderstood in countries like Poland, Nigeria or Paraguay, but I see nobody talking about that.

BTW, I'm not defending GD, I believe he was kind silly in this matter.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I know you're not, I understand your point

"And why do we have to be aware all the time about American culture?"

I think artist should be aware of the culture of their targeted audience
GD is clearly influenced by african-american culture, wants to be big in the US but seems to be impervious to some of it's aspect... that's just weird to me

I would give him a free pass if it was the first time, if he was ignorant and actually apologized to the people who were hurt but it's not the first time. That's my main issue really.

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

It's a pleasure to discuss delicate topics with polite people.

I got your point and it's the reason why I said he was being silly. From the bottom of my heart I don't believe he was trying to offend black people since he openly admires African American artists. I was just saying that sometimes it's annoying to see how US expects people to work by its rules.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Likewise^^


"I was just saying that sometimes it's annoying to see how US expects people to work by its rules"

It is... difficult, but that's the price for mondialisation
We just need to share more and be more aware of each other without loosing our roots and heritage

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

"It is... difficult, but that's the price for mondialisation".
It's not a talk for Omona, I know. But forgetting about idols, I agree with your last sentence.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

OT but you have beautiful TOP icon

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Ryo-chan!

[0ddie13.livejournal.com]

ok, so i didn't even know kpop existed when those other incidents happened, did he get called for it? like, was there a scandal that reached him, and he or his company have to address it? just curious.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I don't think it was as big as this but I know a few people send him tweets, emails, letters... so idk

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

I believe they're talking about some pics, for Vogue, when BB dressed up as international artists, as Justin Timberlake, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson and others.

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

Exactly my point. I believe that only "non-Americans" - as they say - will understand what I'm trying to say. I'm not defending GD here, I'm saying that nobody can expects that the whole world knows about your History.

Anyway, benihime99 has a point when he says, "I think artist should be aware of the culture of their targeted audience".

[unicornios.livejournal.com]

We get US tourists that out their right Arm up an greet people with "Heil Hitler"
Dude, oh my God. How fucking stupid do you have to be...

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

The reality now is that people are watching Korean celebrities for this, so they need to be mindful. I think all managers should be aware and get their clients inline, regardless if it matters to them personally. There is a world outside of sk. If they don't care about feelings they might care about revenue & reputation at least.

[opd-top.livejournal.com]

PSY is the best example of being aware. He changed his song title because he thought he might offend Arabs.

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree with you. Mainly if they're trying to have a worldwide career.

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

These sorts of images & scandals are incredible ammunition for people who want to keep Korean entertainers from succeeding in overseas markets. There are just so many ways this is destructive & hurtful.

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

Not to say about the big battles inside the fandom.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Exactly
From both a human and a business perspective they need to be aware of the world they want to share music with or get money from

[undeniablysarah.livejournal.com]

100% Agree