Follow up on the Jimin/Seol controversy

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

AOA’s Jimin And Seolhyun Respond To Controversy Over Their Lack Of Historical Knowledge

After being heavily criticized for being unable to identify an important Korean historical figure on their reality show, AOA members Jimin and Seolhyun have now both apologized.

Both members took to Instagram on May 12 to express their apologies.

Jimin writes the following
“Hello, this is AOA’s Jimin. In the May 3 episode of ‘Channel AOA’ on OnStyle, I took part in a history quiz, during which I wasn’t able to recognize Ahn Jung Geun and I inappropriately took the broadcast too lightly.

As a celebrity who is in the public eye, I upset many people with my joking approach, and I truly apologize. I’m so sorry. There are no excuses for my error. I have learned through this that ignorance is the biggest mistake.

I express my apologies sincerely and will reflect deeply on this. I will do my best in the future to be knowledgable about history to the extent that I will not be embarrassed, not just as a celebrity but as a citizen of South Korea.

Once again, I apologize for my mistake. I’m sorry.”

Seolhyun also posted the following on her Instagram:
“Hello, this is AOA’s Seolhyun.
I truly apologize to everyone who was upset by my lack of historical knowledge on the May 3 episode of ‘Channel AOA’ on OnStyle.
As a citizen of South Korea, I should have shown a serious attitude towards history. I was unable to, and therefore have realized a lot and am reflecting on that fact.
I am embarrassed about this, and feel deeply apologetic towards those that I upset. I will keep everything that you have said in mind, and try to be more cautious in the future.
Once again, I deeply apologize.”

Netizen's reaction

Article: AOA Jimin and Seolhyun apologize over Ahn Joong Geun controversy "We are deeply reflecting"

1. [+10,0441, -194] They know more than anyone else just how much of an influence their group has... It makes me tear up to think what their Japanese fans will think of them. Seolhyun's a model for voting and public service ads too.. Please be more aware of these things. This isn't something that an apology will just make go away, you need to feel embarrassed about yourselves... It makes me so angry to think that the Japanese are probably laughing at us now.

2. [+9,188, -160] I can understand not knowing because they were kids who took idol training over studying but for them to be on TV laughing as if it's okay to not know about history at all and all an important historical figure Kindokkang and Toyotomi Hideyoshi is just wrong and ridiculous.

3. [+8,036, -121] Can't believe she called him Kindokkang... I know that they don't have time to study but too many lines have been crossed ㅋㅋ

4. [+7,261, -170] I wonder if they're even reflecting at all...

5. [+6,871, -128] Seolhyun's a public service model too, what an embarrassment

6. [+2,090, -49] Please kick them from being promotional ambassadors... what an embarrassment

7. [+1,958, -42] I wonder if they even know that the person they joked about put his life on the line to assassinate Ito and was killed in prison himself. They're probably just thinking instead, "Damn we got caught in another scandal, how do we put this to rest"... If you really are sorry, you'd study and pass the Korean history exam.

8. [+1,722, -22] As the saying goes, if the water is shallow, the bottom will be revealed fast.

9. [+1,671, -45] Looks like someone wrote that apology for them

Nate
1. [+738, -29] It's okay to be dumb but you cannot call Ahn Joong Geun, someone who sacrificed himself for our independence, Kindokkang.

2. [+726, -35] I honestly hope that they are genuinely embarrassed and reflecting over this. The reason we are able to live happy lives like we are now is because of the sacrifices made by people like him. Please don't get too hurt and overcome it but also study up hard on your history too!

3. [+677, -35] So wrong... but please study hard and show us another image

4. [+55, -20] Too late, Jimin-ah... It doesn't matter how dumb you are, how do you call him Kindokkang? It just proved that your brain is absolutely empty... please think before you speak next time, it made me so mad hearing you say that..

5. [+23, -2] There's dumb and then there's too dumb like this... if you don't know him, why even call him Kinddokkang? The absolute epitome of stupidity.


Nate 2
1. [+260, -15] Just in case they don't know what 'martyr' means either since they don't know who 'martyr Ahn Joong Geun' is, it's not the word 'doctor' okay? (TN: both share the same word 'uisa')

2. [+234, -14] If you really are reflecting, go study up on your basic knowledge

3. [+201, -18] Let's not forget, Song Joong Ki's ideal woman is a realistic woman

4. [+32, -6] As if they're reflecting at all! You're telling us to accept an apology they scribbled on SNS? Talk about our independence fighters rolling in their graves right now. If they really are sorry, apologize to the entire nation or leave the industry for good.

5. [+26, -3] The fact that they still didn't know him after hearing the hint Ito Hirobumi means that they don't even know who he is at all. They should've been embarrassed enough to ask the cameras to stop rolling but instead they were joking around saying Kinddokkang, Toyotomi Hideyoshi... that's what was even more shocking to me. I'm so scared that this scandal is going to reach Japan since AOA has been promoting there.

6. [+24, -4] They totally gave the Japanese bait to laugh at us. F*ck off.

7. [+20, -0] It's embarrassing enough to be that dumb but they should've known better than to joke around about people who clearly sacrificed their lives for us. Please reflect over your attitudes.

8. [+20, -1] There are a lot of smart idols but too bad you two also made the public realize how dumb they can be too. Sure, I can understand 100 times over genuinely not knowing the name but for you to try and be funny and call him Kinddokkang? Uncalled for. Stupid b*tch thought that was appropriate as a joke? Makes me swear just thinking about it.

9. [+19, -1] As if they're reflecting. It's just more media play from their agency ㅋㅋ

10. [+19, -2] It's dumb kids like them who become moms and whose children screw up the future of our country

“Channel AOA” Production Apologizes For Seolhyun And Jimin’s Controversy

The production team of OnStyle’s “Channel AOA” has apologized for the controversy surrounding Seolhyun and Jimin’s “lack of basic history knowledge.”

On May 13, the producers expressed their regret over the situation via a report by local news outlet OSEN.

“The theme of that episode had to do with speed games. As they were competing against other teams, Seolhyun and Jimin had to participate in the game under time pressure,” the show’s representative explained about the circumstances. “Due to touching on important parts of our history, we should have been more careful with the production. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will be more careful in the future.”

This comes after Seolhyun and Jimin personally took to their Instagram accounts to apologize.

Currently, the controversial episode originally broadcast on May 3 has been made unavailable on the show’s official streaming site.

Netizen's reaction

1. [+1,189, -25] They shouldn't have said anything at all if they didn't know the answer... are you kidding me with Kindokkang... That's worse than not knowing at all

2. [+1,213, -51] Who cares if you're pretty when you have rocks for brains...

3. [+977, -27] Kimdokkang ㅋㅋㅋ I can't with how ridiculous that is ㅋㅋㅋ

4. [+797, -35] Elementary school level knowledge ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

5. [+400, -12] Thinking about them answering Kimdokkang and Kim Gui gives me a migraine

6. [+284, -5] People aren't just blindly hating them because they couldn't recognize their pictures. Of all the names they could've said, they chose the Japanese pronunciation and had the audacity to giggle over it. Fine, you don't have to know what their pictures look like, but out of all the Korean independence fighter names you could've said, you could only remember the Japanese pronunciation Kinddokkang? Aigoo, our ancestors, are rolling in their graves right now.

7. [+280, -4] Being dumb is never a pretty look on a man or woman

8. [+270, -5] Totally ruins my image of them

9. [+257, -5] I hope AOA realizes that they only exist thanks to an amazing man named Ahn Joong Geun who protected our country~

10. [+248, -7] Sigh, being this dumb is crime, how embarrassing...

Has Jimin and Seolhyun's controversy become a witch hunt?

Article: AOA Seolhyun and Jimin, the witch hunt is worse than their ignorance
1. [+272, -20] This article made me log in... The journalist makes it sound like their stupidity is excusable because they were busy training instead of studying. And where did Seolhyun even apologize...

2. [+259, -16] This isn't a witch hunt. This is basic knowledge that any Korean citizen should know. What the hell is Kinddokkang... ^^;;

3. [+235, -14] Isn't having basic knowledge one of the few things you're asked to have as a human being. Entertainment CEOs need to work on training these kids to have human qualities than worrying about making money.

4. [+23, -3] They giggled and joked in front of a picture of a man who sacrificed his own life for our country, calling him Kinddokkang and Ito Hirobumi. They think an apology on SNS is all it takes to make it go away? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

5. [+20, -3] A witch hunt? Don't be ridiculous

6. [+18, -2] What was the journalist thinking writing this?

7. [+12, -1] A witch hunt? Are you serious? This is not a witch hunt.. if anything, the producers are stupid too for even letting this air. Should've edited it out~ The witch hunt, if it is one at all, was started by the producers.

8. [+10, -2] I don't think you know what a witch hunt actually is

9. [+8, -1] How much was the journalist paid by FNC to write this

10. [+8, -1] This is no witch hunt, they're just stupid. The man has a Korean name and it's Kim Doo Han and she still used the Japanese nickname for him Kinddokkang ㅡㅡ


Article: Seolhyun and Jimin even got Lee Sedol's wrong, spelled it 'Noh Sedol'
1. [+357, -19] That's okay, they're only worried about stealing money from uncles~

2. [+294, -11] Calling Ahn Joong Geun Kinddokkang was worse ㅋㅋㅋ Furthermore, Kinddokkang is what the Japanese called Kim Doo Han to put him down ㅋㅋㅋ;;

3. [+250, -9] Does a thought even exist in Seolhyun and Jimin's brains

4. [+30, -10] They're so hopeless tsk tsk tsk what even is in that head of theirs

5. [+19, -4] You can be dumb... but this is too dub. Amazing that b*tches as dumb as them can make hundreds of thousands just for shaking their butts naked.

6. [+18, -6] Seolddokkang... is this how her career ends??

7. [+16, -1] Not knowing who Lee Sedol is fine... and fine, you can get Ahn Joong Geun and Ahn Chang Ho confused... but calling him Kinddokkang?? Are you serious???????

8. [+10, -0] Dumb b*tches


Article: AOA to comeback with their sexiest concept yet, will Jimin and Seolhyun's controversies ruin it for them?
1. [+474, -9] They should've known to be embarrassed and asked for the cameras to turned off. What made it more shocking for me was that they still carried on, making jokes. I'm scared the Japanese will find out about it. It's fine to be dumb but please respect their names.

2. [+443, -31] You just can't shield this... Have they even watched the movie 'Gwihyang'? I doubt it because if they did, they would not be able to shake their cleavages and butts in Japan like they are now. The reason they even exist in all their dolled up glory today is because of these people who sacrificed their lives for them.

3. [+316, -10] ㅋㅋ As empty as tin cans~~~

4. [+46, -3] Just like how T-ara is ignored by the public for their bullying, AOA needs to be made an example of by being ignored by the public for their stupidity. It'll show agencies that they can no longer produce idols purely for the purpose of making money but a star actually capable of thinking and expressing intelligent thoughts. Even if you have to cut back on an hour of dance training, give them social and history lessons. How can you even be proud of these brainless b*tches as your own product?

5. [+37, -1] They look so ugly now that I know how dumb they are

6. [+30, -1] Their brains are full of sh*t...

7. [+28, -1] What were they even trying to search? Even a junior high school student would know more than them

8. [+19, -0] I don't care how pretty you are, it's unforgivable to be as empty brained as them


Soompi 1, 2, jimin insta, seol insta, osen, netizenbuzz 1, 2, 3, Starin via Naver, nate 1, 2, OSEN via Naver, OSEN via Nate, E-Today via Nate, Mydaily via Nate,

Comments

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

OMG! All the "b*tch/es" in the comments is making my blood boil.

I have learned through this that ignorance is the biggest mistake
Yeah, it was a big mistake and they deserve to be called out, but I don't like how we have to act like stupidity is at the same level of being an asshole. Not talking about this specific case but I had already some conversations with people that really seem to see as worst someone being dumb than heinous.
Maybe I need to watch the video because I found hard to believe they were making fun of it instead of trying to make things seem lighter so the show can be funny. Still nagl but I don't see how that makes them such awful persons.

[winegums.livejournal.com]

I think the thing that got people maddest was the 'Kkindokkang" name being used, and I can actually get that.

Like it would be a massive red flag to me if I saw anyone referring to events in 1857 in my country as the "Sepoy mutiny", which was the term the colonisers used to downplay its importance and make it seem much smaller than it was, and irl is a huge tell for either racist or self-hating asshole. So yeah, I can definitely see how Koreans would get mad at a Korean citizen using a derogatory Japanese nickname to refer to someone who's considered a national hero.

[atenais-pala.livejournal.com]

I agree.

[redgreendress.livejournal.com]

Okay they made fools of themselves, then apologized. But Netizens can simmer down with this "pretty face, empty brain" "they look so ugly now that I know how dumb they are" sexist bullshit, because being ignorant of your country's history is bad, but you lose the higher ground when you resort to this shit. why can't men talk about a woman's intelligence or lack thereof without dragging appearance into it? There's a pattern to this type of criticism "no wonder she's smart, she's compensating for being ugly" or "no wonder she's dumb, she's so pretty she didn't have to work hard to accomplish anything."

[myrrhcat.livejournal.com]

"If they really are sorry, apologize to the entire nation or leave the industry for good." jesus christ, have some chill.

[typhlogirl.livejournal.com]

no @ the misogynistic slurs ffs

idgaf about AOA but this is some next level nonsense - you defs get the feeling some of these comments come from people who already hated these two, ugh

[mad-nux.livejournal.com]

the hate is so ott, they learned their lesson so let it go. imagine if its a guy fucking netizens be like oppa is so cute

[donutism.livejournal.com]

Oh stfu netizens with this sexist bullshit.

[supersunshiner.livejournal.com]

its not that serious they're just more mad because they're women

like when will netizens actually surprise me

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Popular female idols from a top ranking group having a comeback
They must burn!!!


It's a shame they didn't recognize him but the hate is too much

[milkfloo.livejournal.com]

rme at these knet comments. the hate is so ott.
it's sad that this'll affect their comeback .

[mamamoos.livejournal.com]

as is often the case with female idols, a legit criticism being taken to the next level by people who are using caring about this as a cover to shit all over women.

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

you guys realize that most of the sexist "bitch" comments are from the nb translations, right? nb translated comments with most offensive words as they can, like they used the word thug to translate words like hooligans and bullies.

[lizanka23.livejournal.com]

is there any other site besides nb that has translated these comments?

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

not that i'm aware of, but i went to the source article and while the words used are derogatory terms directed at women there are male equivalent terms with same meaning and it certainly doesn't translate to bitches. the comments are still too much though, but we've seen similar ones when male idols fucked up like when b1a4 didn't know the name of the mayor of seoul.
i mean, i'm sure some of them are excited that every time something like this happens they finally have the chance to convince themselves that they're not that much of losers and they know something a bit more than these idols, but i still don't like a lot of omona thinking that these netizens are only pretending to be patriotic to put down aoa, ahn joong geun is a really huge historical figure to koreans, pretty much like mlk to african americans.

[lizanka23.livejournal.com]

i definitely agree that it is a big deal, and people have a right to be angry or disappointed but making those kinds of comments is not going to help the girls learn faster and study harder

[lizanka23.livejournal.com]

the comments might not be as bad as they were translated but they're still sexist. i'm pretty sure idols often barely finish their education, and they can still learn. i hope this doesn't turn into a real witch hunt like what happened with t-ara

[queenhinata.livejournal.com]

while in general the comments are ott, it is offensive to not know basic historical figures !!!

2. [+294, -11] Calling Ahn Joong Geun Kinddokkang was worse ㅋㅋㅋ Furthermore, Kinddokkang is what the Japanese called Kim Doo Han to put him down ㅋㅋㅋ;;

D: that's bad. idk it's one thing to not know the person or the name but to use a term the japanese used

the ott reaction of the scandal is likely related to gender etc but from the comments in this post, i feel like the knetz are really bothered because they think japan will laugh at them etc. i don't remember the specific comments, but i do remember many knetz being annoyed/shocked by b1a4 not knowing seoul politics/government. so.

[winegums.livejournal.com]

rme @all the 'male idols would get away with it!' comments, y'all know what happens every time an idol shows up with the Rising Sun flag on their gear, right? And it certainly isn't 'ooh oppa is so cute and stylish'.

This was one step further, and it's really not our place as non-Koreans to be judging what kind of ignorance Koreans should and shouldn't be mad about especially when it comes to the occupation era.

[midsomernights.livejournal.com]

I hadn't realized when this issue first came up that they had used a Japanese slur for him - that's more than just being ignorant about history. I do think it's still an over reaction but why one earth would you use Kindokkang and laugh? I can understand more now why people are upset.

Although I really don't think anything needs to be done about beyond the apology. It's disappointing though.

[ponpirot.livejournal.com]

They fucked up.

[post-dada.livejournal.com]

Why is Omona saying that Koreans are overreacting when this is a reaction to fairly recent colonization. Like.......there is a reason Koreans have issues with Japanese (still). Why do foreigners get to say that they are overreacting when one of their heroes from that time is jokingly referred to the same as their oppressors.....

[winegums.livejournal.com]

mte, the 1940s/Japanese occupation era are not ancient history, there are survivors of colonialist brutality from that time who are alive even today. And there are reasons why they're still so pissed off.

[gleamnightmare.livejournal.com]

Cause they are overreacting, they didn't know some history. Who gives a shit, idols have done far worse things.