It’s become so common for stars to beg, “Please limit your questions to the project in question,” during public appearances or press conferences it seems like a default greeting. Questions about President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment, protests at Dongduk Women’s University, gender conflicts, and even ideological control over connections with the far-right online community Ilbe they’re popping up everywhere, threatening the public image of celebrities.
We are, in fact, living in an era of widespread control.
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, amid protests calling for President Yoon’s resignation over the declaration of martial law, Lim posted a message on social media to celebrate his dog’s birthday. This sparked reactions online, with some netizens criticizing, “What are you doing at a time like this?” Lim responded dismissively “What?” AND “Am I a politician? Why should I talk?” This response intensified the controversy, with critics accusing him of disrespecting the protesters. While remaining silent may have been his right, his perceived contempt for the civic movement intensified the reaction. Neither Lim nor his agency made any further statements, further fueling public outrage.
Seo Hyun-jin: A difficult question about his Alma Mater
Actress Seo Hyun-jin recently returned to the screen with the Netflix drama series Trunkshe also found herself in a difficult 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 Department of Practical Music, avoided giving a clear answer.
The debate gained steam earlier, when current students staged protests against the mixed transition and called on former students, including Seo and actress Han Hye-jin, to voice their opposition. Meanwhile, former student Kim Soo-jung, a university dropout, signed a petition against the transition, while Kim Sung-eun criticized the protest methods, calling them “low level and uncouth.”
Since this interview was rescheduled after being canceled due to the declaration of martial law, Seo likely found it difficult to address the issue, adding to his visible discomfort.
Lyricist Kim Eana: Involved in self-made controversy
Lyricist Kim Eana, known for her hit songs, has been embroiled in controversy for her use of far-right slang in a past online broadcast. The terms in question—“Sam-il-han” (a misogynistic term implying that women should be beaten every three days) and “Jaw-jang-myeon” (a derogatory term mocking former President Moon Jae-in) – would have been linked Ilbe.
Amid growing public anger, Kim’s social media has been 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 have never been to Ilbe, nor did I know that those terms originated there. Like many citizens, I am furious about the current situation.”
He later issued a further apology on his radio show Kim Eana’s Starry Nightsaying: “I deeply regret using inappropriate terms and causing concern. I will make sure this never happens again.” However, public skepticism remains, and many wonder how such an influential lyricist could unknowingly use such offensive language.
Source: Newsen
