Digital content creators have been entertaining us since the advent of social media. However, some have been accused of taking their content production too far. Some were criticised for allegedly staging a missing person incident for views, while others faced backlash for poorly conceived videos.
Unfortunately, this influencer has recently found himself in the list of controversial content creators. Imran Bard posted a video in which he portrayed a character who appeared suspiciously intimate with another Chinese influencer. This, unsurprisingly, sparked outrage among netizens who felt the video was unsuitable for Malaysian viewers.
For context, in the now-deleted video, Imran Bard portrayed a chef attempting to impress his lover by cooking him a meal. The love interest, played by Joseph Lee (aka Jobroseph), then proceeded to demonstrate the proper technique for preparing the food by physically (and intimately) guiding the internet personality through the process. The video was likely intended as a parody of influencer couples who showcase their daily lives on social media.
Regardless of intent, the TikTok post received backlash from netizens who deemed it inappropriate and insensitive for Malaysian audiences, given that both characters were portrayed by men. Following the overwhelming criticism, Imran issued an official apology on Twitter: “I admit to my mistake in producing content based on Western references without considering the sensitivity of Malaysian culture. I apologise if I have disappointed many of you,” he wrote in his statement. The TikToker also promised not to make the same mistake in the future.
Sadly for the 24-year-old, even his apology sparked debate among netizens. Many were unconvinced that he was genuinely remorseful for his actions, while others felt he didn’t need to apologise at all, arguing that there is far worse content than what he had posted.
Some, however, acknowledged his apology and advised him to think carefully before posting anything on social media to avoid further slander and backlash. A few wished he would return to producing his usual cooking videos, which had kickstarted his career as a content creator.
Watch a reposted version of his controversial video:
@ohmymedia.cc Dah elok konten masak2, tapi lain pula jadinya😢 #ohmymedia #ommbest #sembangentertainment #imranbard
