SNL Korea faces backlash after airing a controversial skit parodying Kim Tae Ri’s Jeongnyeon in K-Drama Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born.
Mail Korea
The Oct. 26 episode has faced widespread backlash for its highly sexualized depiction of a teen character.
In that segment, comedian Ahn Young Mi channeled Jeongnyeon by saying, “I’m Jeot-nyeon” — in which she mixed together two Korean curses.
The first part of the term “jeot” refers to breasts, and “nyeon” is an extremely derogatory word for women.
In addition, Ahn also changed Jeongnyeon’s pansori (traditional Korean folk song) performance in the drama.
Another line was altered from “Come on over, let’s play on piggyback” to the slightly different “Come on over — we’ll do it naked,” adding more fuel to the fire of outrage.
Read more:
‘SNL Korea’ Under Fire Again: Ahn Young Mi’s Provocative Take on ‘Jeongnyeon’ Draws Criticism
On social media, viewers were outraged over the episode featuring Jeongnyeon as a minor character (teenager) because the performer-part scene seemed to have gone too far.
Critics argued that the parody did not merely demean the character but also disrespected the artists’ diligent training to play pansori and insulted national culture.
#JeongNyeon #JeongNyeon_TheStarisBornEp5
The show is now degrading ‘Jeongnyeon’, played by Kim Tae-ri. It has a woman dressed up as a ‘Jeot-nyeon’, a woman similar to ‘Jeongnyeon’, singing about sex, and the listeners say that it will help with birth policy. https://t.co/KpFyhFtSJw— 나는야 행복한 푸헤예요 (@aseogimpuhe) October 27, 2024
However, SNK Korea has declined further comment on the matter despite the backlash.
Just recently, the show landed in hot waters after it was accused of making fun of NewJeans’ Hanni.
The webtoon adaptations of A Star Is Born have gained popularity quickly, leading fans to claim that the parody’s mistakes have become contentious.
Read more:
‘SNL Korea’ Faces Backlash Over Parody of NewJeans Hanni’s Audit Testimony: ‘Racist and Disgusting’
