Many idols have unfortunately sparked controversy with their remarks. Recently, Xdinary Heroes (엑스디너리 히어로즈) member JunHan (준한) found himself in hot waters after several posts that were deemed racially insensitive.
Over the weekend, the guitarist shared several posts on the fan communication app Bubble about genetics and science. However, in the post, Junhan made sweeping generalisations about physical and cognitive traits based on race. An example of his remarks was, “Black people have a lot of cells in their ears, so that’s why they have good hearing.” Understandably, the posts sparked accusations of racial stereotyping.
JunHan also spoke about the ethical issue of eugenics, a theory that humans can selectively breed for desirable genetic traits. One particular comment from the idol, “If you think it’s ethically wrong, don’t do it. But if you want to, then go ahead,” led many to accuse him of supporting the controversial ideology. It’s worth noting that fans were particularly shocked by how casually JunHan talked about the subject, pointing out the unfiltered nature of his remarks.
Following the backlash he received, JunHan and his agency, JYP Entertainment, issued official apology statements. In his letter, the 22-year-old apologised for causing discomfort with his careless remarks and lack of social awareness and sensitivity, saying, “I’ve come to realise that what I said reflected a biased perspective, and I am deeply reflecting on my actions.” He then said that he would learn to be more cautious and responsible with his words and actions.
In a separate statement, JYP Entertainment wrote, “JunHan is taking this matter very seriously and is deeply reflecting on the hurt and disappointment caused by his thoughtless words and actions. We also feel a strong sense of responsibility for the shortcomings in our education of the artist”. The company also promises to provide thorough education to its artists on social awareness and sensitivity to develop a sound set of values.
While it doesn’t seem that JunHan had any malicious intentions with his remarks, we’re glad he understood how dangerous his words were. We hope the idol will learn from this incident and be more careful in the future. What are your thoughts on this?
