KARA controversies: Choreography, Dokdo and Handicap parking

[mikilove13.livejournal.com]

KARA has only returned to the music scene for a week and the group has already been hit with a controversy.

On August 22nd, KARA performed their comeback showcase after releasing their 5th mini-album "Pandora." Since then, the girl group has been busy performing their comeback stages on various music programs.

However, KARA has been pulled into several debates and controversies following their comeback. For one, their suggestiveness of their choreography has raised concern, along with their outfits. For "Pandora," KARA wanted to show the appearance of being mature women, but fans are concern that the choreography is too suggestive for '94er Kang Jiyoung. However, netizens seemed to be divided in opinion regarding this topic. Similarly, music programs have not deemed the costumes and/or choreography inappropriate.

In addition, KARA was seen wearing a stage costume on SBS "Inkigayo" for the track "Miss You," reminiscent of a Gucci swimwear. They looked identical to Gucci's 2008 Spring/Summer swimsuit collection, which is yellow with a black and white bow on one shoulder.

Currently, conditions between South Korea and Japan over the Dokdo Islands have been increasingly become intense. During KARA's press conference prior to their comeback showcase, the group were questioned on their thoughts about the Dokdo Islands situation because KARA is popular in Japan, as well as in South Korea.

Park Gyuri replied in a manner in which she avoided answering the question. However, the lack of response received criticism from netizens.

Unfortunately, this is not the last controversy KARA has unexpectedly found themselves in. Recently, KARA's vans have been found parking in handicap spots at a rest stop area for approximately 15-20 minutes. Because KARA is popular and the youth and young adults look up to them, many have criticized that KARA should have not parked in handicap spots.

It has been a week since KARA released their "Pandora" album, yet they have been the topic of both good and bad news.






A photo of Kara’s vehicles is today’s hottest trending photo on several internet portals. Kara’s two black and grey vehicles were seen parked in the handicapped parking spots on August 25 around 5PM at Chungnam GongJoo Jungahn’s Rest Stop. Reportedly, the cars were parked in the reserved area for approximately 15-20 minutes. Kara was on their way to record the “14th Annual Korea China Music Show” at the Yeosu World Exhibition Venue.

A witness accounted, “On that day, there were no parking spaces available. The parking administrator tried to block them, but the two vehicles pushed through and parked in the handicap spots. We found out that the vehicles belonged to Kara as they were in the cars. Even though the administrator kept telling them to remove their cars, they ignored him and waited to finish their business before leaving.” He continued, “Goo Hara and the other members were busy eating a hotdog and going to the restroom. They appeared very nonchalant. There were cars waiting to park in that [handicapped] spot. They waited and waited before turning back to leave. It was uncomfortable watching them [Kara] and the way they were enjoying such special treatment because they were celebrities.”

A representative of the Chungnam GongJoo Jungahn’s Rest Stop confirmed, “We received several complaints and went out to check the area. We saw two vehicles and Kara parked in the handicapped parking area.”

In related news, Kara made their long-awaited comeback this past weekend with their new title track “Pandora.”



There’s been much controversy after DSP Media girl group KARA‘s van was spotted parked in a handicap zone. With the uproar that this has caused, the agency has issued an apology through KARA’s official website on August 28th KST.


DSP Media stated, “After speaking with the manager who drove the car and investigating the circumstances, we found out that the two vehicles KARA and their staff rode on August 25th stopped at a [rest stop] and was parked in a handicap spot for about 15 minutes.”

They continued, “We would like to offer our sincerest apologies to anyone we might have inconvenienced at the time and also apologize to KARA’s fans. We will make sure that this type of unfortunate incident does not happen again in the future.”

The apology came after several reports detailing eyewitness accounts of the incident surfaced. The reports stated that the vehicles were parked in the handicap spots as there were no regular parking spots available. Allegedly, the staff and the girls did not seem too concerned about having parked in an area specifically reserved for handicapped individuals despite being asked to leave, as the girls were allegedly spotted leisurely snacking and taking bathroom trips.



Source: Koreaboo, Newsen, Soompi, AKP, Naver, Sports Khan

Comments

[gyuri.livejournal.com]

how did netizens want gyuri to respond to the dokdo question? did they want her to rip off her shirt to reveal she had "dokdo is our land" tattooed on her skin?

also, these aren't even real controversies (the handicap parking thing could be something, but like that's on the managers not kara), like couldn't netizens even be picking up on some more serious shit?

[izabera.livejournal.com]

why on earth would an interviewer ask an IDOL questions about dokdo/takeshima.
shit-stirrers.
the managers should have stepped in and say we don't take questions about this subject.

[hugtimes.livejournal.com]

this shit is weak and their managers are assholes.

[rosetta16.livejournal.com]

why do they ask her about such a controversial thing??? Gyuri was smart not answering it would have being REALLY stupid to say her stans on it while having promotions in both country's
.......... *coufgifearforsujucought*

[notyourgeisha.livejournal.com]

As an idol it's part of your job to not ruin your country's reputation by causing a political firestorm by answering controversy provoking questions, so what exactly did she do wrong?

That parking thing they should've been more careful about and glad they took responsibility for their mistake.

[woohyun.livejournal.com]

Wow, that question about dokdo is so dumb, good thing the Goddess handled it fine.

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

The outfits are a non issue, i've seen more saucy stuff at the local church.

What was Gyuri supposed to say? Why is journalist asking her the dumb question in the first place, is she a political figure? She's diplomatic atleast, I know the netizens were praising Siwon so good for him, Suju are already screwing their Japanese fans with their releases anyway.

As for the Handicap parking, I doubt they're the only one and Kara weren't driving so I don't get the outrage about it, atleast they've apologised.

If the netizens have so much outrage they want to expend then please find a better outlet, tennis is a good one or getting some sugar, might loosen up these tight asses.

[falling-empress.livejournal.com]

Your privilege is showing. My brother can't get out of a fucking car if there isn't a handicapped spot with accessibility because he's paralyzed. Dumbass.

[toomanysides.livejournal.com]

The reporter who asked about dokdo and then subsequently bashed kara for being silent AND the reporter who wrote handicap parking controversy were one in the same.

Suspicious much? Anyways better luck next time trying to bring down KARA.

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

Not even surprised.

[gacchiri.livejournal.com]

bae yong joon also got shit from korean netizens because he avoided a reporter's question about dokdo several years back. kim tae hee got shit from japanese netizens because of her past involvement with being a dokdo ambassador. u can't win. /edit/ oh yeah, and shiwon too

[tha-x.livejournal.com]

shaking my damn head

[921227.livejournal.com]

Asking KARA about Dokdo is like asking Justin Bieber about Israel or something similar. Sure celebrities have been known to take controversial stances about certain topics, but KARA as kpop idols aren't really the type for it, especially considering their activeness in Japan as well.

The outfits/choreo for Pandora is hot, and also a complete non issue. Jiyoung's been showing skin since Mr., if netizens were concerned, it would've been said before.

And yeah, the handicapped parking is dickish, but people do it and I doubt the managers would've left the vans parked there if someone who really needed it were around.

[scarletfbl.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything, except parking in handicapped spots is never ok. I can't tell you how many times someone has taken a handicap spot from my uncle (who wasn't using it at the time, but they're marked for a reason), just because they had to run in to the store and buy a bag of cheetos, or whatever, and my uncle has to park way out in the boonies. The guy only has one freaking leg. Makes me furious. /rant

Re: at the reporter who keeps trying to stir up shit

[toomanysides.livejournal.com]

in my mind i cannot link u to your other personalities

[hisjulliet.livejournal.com]

"During KARA's press conference prior to their comeback showcase, the group were questioned on their thoughts about the Dokdo Islands situation because KARA is popular in Japan, as well as in South Korea."

WHAT

THE

FUCK

[scarletfbl.livejournal.com]

That's totally a reason NOT to ask.

[dysphoriia.livejournal.com]

it's a lose-lose situation for kara if they were to answer the dokdo question. the reporter was an ass for asking.

tsktsk at the handicap parking though.

[scarletfbl.livejournal.com]

ia ia

[scarletfbl.livejournal.com]

I don't blame Gyuri. She has business ties with Japan, and obviously she loves her country. Whomever she sides with, she gets a raw deal. She shouldn't screw herself over just because someone wanted to hear her parrot their own opinion back at them.

[kotetsu.livejournal.com]

because i totally want to know a girl group's political stance in order to like their music. smh.

[markovnikov.livejournal.com]

who cares about jiyoung she's 45 anyway lbh

[quietreveries.livejournal.com]

it's a legitimate question imo given that they are active in both countries. it seems to be a more sensitive issue in korea than in japan tho. obviously they wouldn't do anything to offend their japanese fans, so gyuri's answer is pretty typical. just because they're kpop idols by trade it doesn't mean they ought to be ~shielded~ from sensitive topics

[fabledlamb.livejournal.com]

The Dokdo/Takeshima controversy is not just a sensitive topic they have to protect the girls from, but a complex political issue which requires background knowledge to form a balanced opinion. And it's not really the job of an idol group to speak up about such issues, especially if they're active in both countries. But of course in SKorea, you have to answer such questions to satisfy the public's nationalist needs and not end up in a ~scandal~.

And it's exactly because of the fact that their company is shipping them off to Japan on a regular basis to make money there that they should keep quiet, even if they should have an informed opinion on the matter. You either make money in a foreign market and be friendly to the people there or you run around openly supporting claims on a bunch of rocks in the ocean and shouldn't be surprised if the Japanese market is going to blacklist you. You can't have it both ways.

[annhh.livejournal.com]

"but fans are concern that the choreography is too suggestive for '94er Kang Jiyoung"

Pandora's choreography is tame compared to Mister's butt dance, in my honest opinion knowing Korea has a thing for women showing shoulders but even then I'd say butt dance beats "sexy shoulders" choreo. And Jiyoung is not a baby anymore

I know I go on about this but I just really don't get that so called 15+ choreography. Not even starting on the sexist point of it.

[kazu-kumaguro.livejournal.com]

imo they're smart to add 15+, I mean the world is sexist to the core and it's really hard to change it.

[hybridchickens.livejournal.com]

okay i totally side-eyed the handicapped parking incident but what the fuck do ppl expect kara to say about dokdo? they promote in both countries so taking any kind of stance would have caused a controversy = potentially less sales. besides, they're idols and it's their job to be v. v. diplomatic.

[mikilove13.livejournal.com]

True. I remember when Kim Tae Hee was in Boku to Star no 99 Nichi in Japan. People brought up her advocating back in 2005 that Dokdo belonged to Korea as a reason to boycott her/get her fired. They even started calling her the Anti-Japan actress. Imagine what would have happened in Japan if one of the girls said something to the same effect, like that reporter was probably hoping for.

[germaineu.livejournal.com]

really? why?

[hellicoptajuuce.livejournal.com]

isn't Dokdo worthless in terms of resources? theres nothing there, its a fucking windy piece of rock but i guess if the governments didnt fight over it the people will go cray

[mikilove13.livejournal.com]

Pretty much. They're uninhabitable but they're apparently located in a good fishing area. However, it seems Japan is finally trying to end the dispute by submitting the suit to the International Court of Justice despite Korea never agreeing to do so. The whole situation is pretty ridiculous.

[swhyeon1991.livejournal.com]

I'm not even Korean or Japanese but idky I just feel offended if ppl call it as just fucking rocks or say can we just bomb the rocks so there'll be one less issue to fight about etc lol. Like, as much as I want this issue to be resolved ASAP so that both country could waste their energy for their next matters, guuurrll both country would not have been stirring shits like this if it's just fucking rocks.. And how could you hurt our precious planet even more ;__; Yeah I know they didntmeanit but I'm just saying :|

[akaich0u.livejournal.com]

Agreed.