The K-Pop industry has become a global phenomenon, celebrated for its captivating performances, music, and creativity. However, there have been moments where a lack of cultural and religious sensitivity has sparked outrage among fans. While such issues are often associated with Western celebrities, K-Pop idols and their agencies have also faced backlash for actions deemed disrespectful to certain religions.
These incidents, often stemming from a lack of awareness or cultural understanding, highlight the need for sensitivity in a globalised world. Here are five instances where stars in the K-Pop industry were criticised for disrespecting other religions:
1. Kep1er
Kep1er’s (케플러) Yujin (유진) recently found herself at the centre of controversy when she was seen wearing a shirt that depicted sacred Islamic symbols, including the word “Allah” (the Arabic term for God), “Muhammad” (the Islamic prophet), and an image of the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site. Fans expressed outrage as Yujin danced while wearing the shirt, calling it an inappropriate use of religious symbols as a fashion statement. Kep1er has since posted a statement on their official Twitter account, apologising for their mistake.
2. ENHYPHEN
Jake (제이크), a member of ENHYPHEN (엔하이픈), faced criticism during a performance of “Blessed-Cursed” on SBS Inkigayo in January 2022, where he wore a necklace featuring the Arabic name of Allah. This sparked anger among Muslim fans as critics labelled the use of a sacred symbol by someone who does not practice the religion as disrespectful. ENGENEs (ENYHYPHEN’s fandom) also directed their frustration towards the stylists, emphasising the need for greater awareness of cultural and religious sensitivities.
3. BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK’s (블랙핑크) collaboration with Selena Gomez, “Ice Cream”, received significant praise upon its release in August 2020. However, controversy arose over a lyric in the song: “Play the part like Moses.” Fans interpreted it as a sexual innuendo referring to Moses parting the Red Sea, a sacred story in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The line drew criticism for its perceived trivialisation of a revered religious figure, leaving fans shocked and disappointed.
4. KINGDOM
Known for integrating historical and mythical themes into their music, KINGDOM (킹덤) faced backlash for the design of their seventh album cover, which fans claimed was inspired by the Quran. The use of elements resembling the holy book was seen as a disregard for its sacredness. The company later issued an apology and promised to redesign the album cover, acknowledging the need for cultural sensitivity in their creative process.
5. Monsta X
Monsta X’s (몬스타엑스) rapper, Im Chang-kyun (임창균), also known as I.M, caused controversy with the release of concept photos for his solo mini-album, “Duality.” In the photos, he wore a shirt featuring the phrase “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful” in Arabic—words that hold profound significance for Muslims and are recited daily during prayers and Quran readings. Fans expressed dismay, deeming the use of such sacred text in a casual fashion context deeply disrespectful.
Sources: Twitter (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)
Sakinah contributed to this article.
