It has become so common for stars to plead, “Please limit your questions to the project at hand,” during public appearances or press conferences that it feels like a default greeting. Questions about President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment, protests at Dongduk Women’s University, gender conflicts, and even ideological vetting over links to the far-right online community Ilbe are popping up everywhere, threatening the public image of celebrities.
We are, indeed, living in an era of widespread scrutiny.
Lim Young-woong: Caught in the Crossfire
Singer Lim Young-woong was among the first to face this trial and received a “pending” verdict. On December 7, amidst protests calling for President Yoon’s resignation over the martial law declaration, Lim posted a message on social media celebrating his pet dog’s birthday. This drew backlash online, with some netizens criticizing, “What are you doing at a time like this?” Lim responded dismissively with “What?” and “Am I a politician? Why should I speak up?” This response escalated the controversy, with critics accusing him of disrespecting the protesters. While remaining silent might be his right, his perceived dismissiveness towards the civic movement intensified the backlash. Neither Lim nor his agency has issued any further statements, further fueling public outrage.
Seo Hyun-jin: A Difficult Question About Her Alma Mater
Actress Seo Hyun-jin, recently returned to the screen with the Netflix drama Trunk, also found herself in a tricky situation. During an interview, she was asked about the controversy surrounding Dongduk Women’s University, her alma mater, and its proposed transition to co-education. Seo, who graduated from the university’s Practical Music Department, avoided giving a clear answer.
The debate gained traction earlier when current students staged protests against the co-ed transition and called on alumni, including Seo and actress Han Hye-jin, to voice their opposition. Meanwhile, alumna Kim Soo-jung, who dropped out of the university, signed a petition opposing the transition, while Kim Sung-eun criticized the protest methods, calling them “low-level and crude.”
Given that this interview was rescheduled after being canceled due to the martial law declaration, Seo likely found it difficult to address the matter, adding to her visible discomfort.
Lyricist Kim Eana: Caught in a Self-Made Controversy
Lyricist Kim Eana, known for her hit songs, became embroiled in controversy over her use of far-right slang in a past online broadcast. The terms in question—“Sam-il-han” (a misogynistic term implying women should be beaten every three days) and “Jwa-jang-myeon” (a derogatory term mocking former President Moon Jae-in)—were reportedly linked to Ilbe.
Amid growing public anger, Kim’s social media was flooded with comments such as, “Are you against impeachment?” and “What do you think about martial law?” In response, Kim clarified on December 8, “I’ve never been on Ilbe, nor was I aware those terms originated there. Like many citizens, I am furious about the current state of affairs.”
She later issued an additional apology on her radio show Kim Eana’s Starry Night, saying, “I deeply regret using inappropriate terms and causing concern. I will ensure that this never happens again.” However, public skepticism remains, with many questioning how such an influential lyricist could have unknowingly used such offensive language.
Source: Newsen
