Gender Insensitivity Towards Male Entertainers, Including K-Pop Stars, Sparks Controversy

Many Okay-pop Male Idols, Together with BTS, Face Mockery Over Their Gender

Male entertainers in South Korea, together with these within the Okay-pop trade, often face disrespectful feedback, significantly associated to make-up and clothes selections that gas rumors of their sexual orientation. Within the Western world, there was an extended historical past of ridiculing Asian stars with racist and discriminatory remarks.

In 2019, an Australian information present host sparked controversy by making racially discriminatory feedback in regards to the well-liked group BTS. The host’s feedback, equivalent to “If Kim Jong-un likes male idols, there is perhaps no extra struggle points in Korea” and mocking the North-South Korea scenario, stirred up international outrage.

Moreover, a male host boldly made discriminatory remarks in regards to the sexual orientation of male idols. He talked about asking on social media if there was a homosexual member among the many seven, asserting, “There should be one homosexual member amongst seven males. That’s simply arithmetic.” Comparable incidents occurred in 2018 on a Mexican public broadcast program, the place the host commented on BTS members’ look and steered they appeared weak and like they labored in a homosexual membership, resulting in important backlash and condemnation.

Regardless of the controversies, the hosts on the heart of the disputes issued apologies claiming that they had humorously exaggerated to focus on their reputation. Nonetheless, these apologies solely dropped at the floor a historical past of gender-based mockery in opposition to Okay-pop stars and home entertainers in Western societies.

This subject will not be restricted to singers; it extends to tv reveals as properly. In 2019, a German man on the TVN present ‘Youn’s Kitchen 2’ made feedback about Website positioning Joon and Website positioning Jin, suggesting the presence of homosexual Korean males. Nonetheless, the controversy was averted because the producers intentionally translated his phrases otherwise throughout the broadcast.

This sort of mockery arises on account of differing perceptions of masculinity in Western societies. Up to now, Western male stars not often engaged in cute fan service or charming dances, making the mockery of Okay-pop for deviating from conventional masculinity prevalent. Even in South Korea, Kim Hee-chul confessed on a spread present that he had been misunderstood as a sexual minority on account of his lengthy hair and make-up.

Some entertainers’ sensible dealing with of such conditions is notable. Kim Hee-chul acknowledged the misunderstanding however shunned denying it outright, contemplating it would offend sexual minority followers. Yoon Ji-sung, previously of Wanna One, shared his beliefs on variety, stating that there isn’t any such factor as “garments that look homosexual” and expressing his rejection of conventional gender norms.

Each internationally and domestically, the frequent incidence of gender insensitivity points highlights a major drawback in trendy society. At this level in historical past, as Korea ventures globally, it’s essential for a lot of to develop an curiosity in and understanding of variety.