Much has unfolded over the past week in the United States, most notably the fatal shooting of American political activist Charlie Kirk during an appearance at Utah Valley University. News of his death has divided opinion online, with some expressing grief while others remained unsympathetic due to his controversial political stance.
Even celebrities shared their views on the shooting, with Super Junior member Choi Siwon (최시원) among those who mourned Charlie Kirk. The singer faced backlash from fans over the now-deleted social media post, and only recently has he addressed the criticism surrounding his actions.
Choi Siwon had originally shared an Instagram Story about Charlie Kirk’s death, mourning the loss of the co-founder of the conservative organisation Turning Point USA (TPUSA). His post quickly drew criticism, with many condemning the idol for expressing support for a figure known for outspoken opposition to minority rights, feminism, Covid-19 vaccines and even the notion of empathy.
Although he has since deleted the post, that has not stopped Super Junior fans from calling on the other members and their agency, Label SJ, to remove the singer from the group. There were also speculations that suggested that a few of the members had even unfollowed Siwon on Instagram. Over the long weekend, the 39-year-old finally addressed the situation in an official statement on Bubble.
“There has been much discussion about my tribute to Charlie Kirk, so I wish to explain. He was a Christian, a father, and a husband. Regardless of the circumstances, it is heartbreaking that he lost his life to gun violence while giving a lecture in front of many college students. That is why I paid tribute to him, regardless of his political stance,” he wrote.
As expected, many K-pop fans were not satisfied with his explanation. He was accused of hypocrisy for invoking religion and family in his defence, while remaining silent on the genocide in Palestine, where thousands have been killed. Others remain firm in their belief that he should be removed from Super Junior, noting that this is not his first controversy.
In 2023, Choi Siwon was criticised after posing for a photo with an Israeli ambassador at a Korea–Israel Prayer Breakfast event, which led to accusations of Zionist sympathies. He also faced backlash for alleged homophobia after sharing a pastor’s statement claiming that same-sex marriage “doesn’t exist”, and for voicing support for Kim Davis, the American clerk who notoriously refused to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple.
At the time of writing, the other Super Junior members have yet to comment directly on Choi Siwon’s political stance or the backlash he and the group have recently faced. What are your thoughts on this issue?
