Many are surprised by Keeho’s words on the subject.
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P1HarmonyThe viral concept has sparked an unexpected debate online.
P1Harmony is currently scheduled to make their comeback on September 20 with their seventh mini-album, SAD SONG. The group has released several teaser images and videos so far, including one for the album’s title track.
7th Mini Album [SAD SONG]
“SAD SONG” MV TEASERItalian: YOUTUBE – https://t.co/k8oB44DeIG
🔥 PRESS RELEASE 2024.09.20 13:00 (KST)
Buy tickets now: https://t.co/c1VVHyZY5R#P1Harmony #P1Harmony #P1H #SAD_CANE photo.twitter.com/lYrsgdZEqQ
— P1Harmony official (@P1H_official) September 15, 2024
Days earlier, the group released a concept video titled “OUT OF CONTEXT ____”, which features a track likely from the album. The video shows the group members reuniting before an outfit change and is visually stunning.
However, the images have also sparked debate and controversy online.
Halfway through the video, the members have a Sailor Moon-transformation into clothes featuring large white t-shirts, scarves and jeans.
These same clothes are featured in the sampler of the group’s track while a track with a strong hip-hop sound is played.
This clip, which mainly features Intak, was posted online, going viral as many discussed her look. While she is wearing a scarf, many thought it was meant to look like a durag, a protective head covering worn by black people.
oh yeah niggaharmony is debuting soon guys photo.twitter.com/csuZDEQk56
— 🇵🇸 ミ☆ ken | #JILIXDAY (@shockingkenz) September 13, 2024
Many felt that this was a way to imitate black people, which is a form of cultural appropriation.
You praised p1h’s rap line too much, so now they think they can do whatever they want. It’s not the scarf. It’s the vibe, the mannerisms. It’s obvious. They tried to imitate black ple’s aesthetic. They fell into stereotypes. I’m sorry they look ridiculous. https://t.co/zjGwYmSPv1
— Secret Promoter (@stallar260911) September 14, 2024
the issue here is not whether it’s a durag or not, but the fact that this whole video looks like black people cosplaying down to the adlibs https://t.co/opJn5EYapD
— dahlia ⁰-¹|gyuvin day!! 🥳 (@kamsluvr) September 15, 2024
DOES THE GUN MAKE A SOUND?? HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY YOU DON’T HAVE WEAPONS IN YOUR COUNTRY. https://t.co/VbgojJ949m
— cha ~ free 🍉 (@irlneul) September 13, 2024
This criticism also brought back what Keeho said in a previous interview.
During an interview with Zach sang in 2022, when the host asked him if cultural appropriation was at the forefront of their minds when they thought about their look, Keeho answered in the affirmative.
I think it’s a responsibility and I also think if you want to have a platform this big, you have to be able to respect and appreciate all cultures without appropriating them. Whenever it comes to our style or our music or anything else, it’s always a sensitive topic that we always have to think about once, three times, four times at every step of the way, visually or musically or in terms of the language itself. Obviously there’s AAVE and a lot of other cultural things that are very sensitive and so we have to respect that, and I think it’s a responsibility, so I think it’s something that we always think about and act on.
— Keeho
keeho talks about cultural appropriation and how they actively think about making sure they are respectful throughout the entire music/video creation process photo.twitter.com/LnWx3cZUsN
— out of context keeho loops (@keeho_loops) June 2, 2022
Considering all this, many have wondered how this concept came about.
It’s so stupid to say that because Keeho has literally been talking shit in the K-pop community, so it’s not that far off to think that he will police his group members when they do something disrespectful. You come here everyday to say something stupid and it’s so tiring atp! https://t.co/UZtRM4Y8vK photo.twitter.com/azaeWEekwv
— Gabby (@GabbyUrwild22) September 15, 2024
this after Keeho talked about cultural appropriation https://t.co/QDuLn6AH5Y photo.twitter.com/oufCUAEGkc
— ess (@Y2KSOOBIN) September 13, 2024
Keeho should never have said what he said in that interview with Tetris. Especially if he knows he has no control over mv or outfit, because then you put yourself in this situation, Korea and Japan have a bad problem with wanting to be black and have for a long time https://t.co/DS5M0Z8dnz
— Zarw (@lopunny_meowsti) September 14, 2024
On the other hand, others have pointed out that the responsibility is not Keeho’s and that he may not have control over the outfits and concepts performed by the group.
“and Keeho allowed this???” I don’t know why you expect a non-black man to keep his non-black band mates in check on black culture
— dia day🤍 (@dimefiles) September 14, 2024
people always expect the English speaking idol to know every culture and know when something is CA https://t.co/XfoFuNmlIM
— live (@twicepunch) September 14, 2024
no because people act like Keeho is
1) a manager who has a say in what the group does
2) some kind of cultural police
I think people who keep themselves in check don’t have the obligation to keep everyone in their life in check, people should try to educate themselves https://t.co/86ISd1PztN— bambi 🥨 (@jks_bambi) September 15, 2024
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