‘SNL Korea Season 6’ on Coupang Play, which aired on the 19th, has sparked controversy after a parody involving NewJeans’ Hanni. Actor Kim Eui-sung appeared in the episode, performing a comedy sketch.
In the episode, Ji Ye-eun portrayed Hanni, who recently appeared at a National Assembly hearing, while Kim Eui-sung played the CEO of Hanwha Ocean, who was seen taking a selfie with Hanni during the event.
However, after the sketch was released, some netizens criticized it as “racist,” “mocking the victim,” and questioned, “Why parody this?” On the other hand, some argued that “it’s just a parody,” leading to heated debates online.
On October 15th, Hanni and ADOR CEO Kim Joo-young attended the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee hearing as a witness and a reference, respectively, discussing issues like idol bullying and inadequate responses to such cases.
This was not only the first time a current idol member appeared at a National Assembly hearing, but Hanni also gained support for voluntarily attending on behalf of NewJeans and their fans.
However, the portrayal of Hanni on ‘SNL,’ where her foreign accent was deliberately exaggerated, and the overly dramatic crying scenes, left some viewers feeling that the show was mocking and ridiculing her. As a result, many fans have demanded an apology from ‘SNL’ through online communities and social media. While freedom of expression is important, the outcome of this sketch has left many disappointed.
