‘So embarrassing’: KISS OF LIFE under fire for past comments on black dancers amid cultural appropriation row

Rising fourth-generation K-pop lady community KISS OF LIFE has come below intense scrutiny following a most up-to-date livestream tournament held to own time member Julie’s birthday. What changed into once in the starting up supposed as a lighthearted, themed interaction with fans has as an alternative sparked a broader debate on cultural appropriation and racial insensitivity in K-pop, in particular touching on Shadowy custom.

The livestream, promoted with an ‘ancient-college hip hop vibes’ costume code, straight away raised eyebrows when the community seemed on show wearing outfits and tools paying homage to traditionally stereotyped depictions of Shadowy custom. Their dresser, which integrated outsized gold chains, bucket hats, and braided or cornrow-styled hair, changed into once extensively criticized by viewers for evoking sinful and out of date racial tropes. Because the individuals danced to hip-hop tracks and attempted freestyle rapping, many fans and onlookers felt that the realizing that veered into offensive territory pretty than a respectful homage.

What made matters worse changed into once the perception that the community and their agency had didn’t snatch or steal into fable the deeper implications of borrowing cultural aesthetics with out acknowledging their significance or history. Social media platforms mercurial turned flooded with criticism, with netizens accusing the community of performative appreciation and exploiting Shadowy custom for leisure.

Gasoline changed into once added to the fire when a outdated video clip of Julie began recirculating online. The clip, from the community’s Lose Yourself generation, featured leisurely-the-scenes photos from the song video shoot for his or her be aware Gain Loud, where the community labored with Shadowy backup dancers flown in from the US. Within the photos, Julie commented, “For the song video, the dancers basically came to Korea from the US. We started the intro basically cold, nonetheless our dancers basically performed a huge characteristic this time. They came, and interior a short duration of time, they basically did their most productive and acted cold with us.”

The contemporary post read, “The ladies made a noxious joke, we converse regret on behalf of the whole fandom, nonetheless they don’t hate you, it changed into once a noxious joke.” On the choice hand, this attempt at an apology utterly perceived to escalate the problem. Many fans and netizens had been left questioning why the OP had been apologizing and, extra importantly, why Shadowy individuals had been being handled as the topic of a ‘noxious joke.’

This response has sparked further outrage, with critics pointing out the plan in which it echoes the problematic attitude of announcing “I basically own Shadowy chums, so I’m able to no longer be racist.” The apology by a fan, as an alternative of clearing the air, ended up highlighting the deeper complications with cultural sensitivity and awareness, leaving many to basically feel that the subject had no longer been adequately addressed.

Furthermore, while some interpreted Julie’s words within the clip as a signal of precise admiration and admire for the dancers and their contributions, others had been less convinced. Critics argued that acknowledging collaboration is rarely any longer the identical as figuring out and respecting cultural roots, in particular when the community’s actions appear inconsistent with their words.

In step with the growing backlash, S2 Entertainment, the agency representing KISS OF LIFE, launched a formal apology, acknowledging the damage resulted in and promising to be extra culturally aware sooner or later. Every of the community’s individuals, including Julie, also issued individual apologies, expressing be apologetic about for his or her lack of sensitivity and asserting their intent to be taught and develop from the incident.

On the choice hand, reactions to the apologies were polarizing. Whereas some fans own rallied leisurely the community, citing their sincerity and early life as reasons to offer forgiveness, others stay skeptical, calling for concrete steps past apologies, including diversity coaching, consultation with cultural consultants, and a 2d look of future concepts to come by certain they stop no longer perpetuate stereotypes.

For KISS OF LIFE, this controversy also can just exhibit to be a turning point, both in phrases of their image and how they potential cultural influences engaging forward. Whether or no longer the community can come by belief and self-discipline up their potential via the fallout remains to be seen.