JYP ENTERTAINMENT
Seoul, South Korea — Bangchan, a member of the popular boy band Stray Kids, has issued an apology following a recent live broadcast where he called out younger idol groups for what he perceived as a lack of manners. The incident has ignited a controversy within the K-pop community, prompting Bangchan to address the issue on social media.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Bangchan expressed remorse for the offense caused by his comments, both in Korean and English. He clarified that his intention was not to single out any specific artist or group, despite discussing a recent episode of KBS2's music show "Music Bank" held in Paris, which aired on May 7.
During his YouTube livestream on May 14, Bangchan shared his thoughts, stating, "I might sound like a 'young boomer' if I say this, but I feel like greeting now is not a basic manner." He went on to express his concern about instances where fellow artists fail to reciprocate greetings, questioning whether such behavior is acceptable in the current generation.
While Bangchan refrained from directly mentioning any individual or group, fans and netizens have speculated about the identity of the idol in question based on the list of K-pop artists who participated in the Paris episode. Recognizing the unintended implications of his remarks, Bangchan clarified in his statement that he did not intend to single out a specific artist and that his comments were unrelated to the artist currently being discussed.
"I would like to mention that it was not my intention to specify a certain artist, and that my comments had nothing to do with the artist being mentioned currently," read Bangchan's statement. He continued, "I would like to express my deepest apologies to the artist who has been hurt by my careless words." Concluding his post, he vowed to exercise greater caution in his future remarks to prevent a similar incident from occurring.
Stray Kids, the boy band to which Bangchan belongs, is currently in the midst of preparations for their highly anticipated third full-length album, titled "★★★★★ (5-STAR)," scheduled for release on June 2. As fans eagerly await the group's upcoming musical offering, the recent controversy surrounding Bangchan's comments has added an unexpected layer of discourse within the K-pop community.
The incident involving Bangchan serves as a reminder of the heightened scrutiny and responsibility that comes with being a public figure, particularly in the fast-paced and interconnected world of K-pop. Artists must navigate the delicate balance between expressing their opinions and ensuring their words do not cause unintended harm or offense.
Sayart.net
Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com
