SNL Korea embroiled in “racist mockery” controversy of New Jeans Hanni after “HYBE bullying” testimony

Article: ‘SNL 6’ This time, New Jeans Hanni racism + Han Kang parody “Unpleasant” [Comprehensive]

Source: Newsen

Hot debates are pouring out in Korea over SNL Korea’s parody of New Jeans Hanni.

On Season 6 SNL Korea episode that aired on October 19th on Coupang Play, actor Kim Eui-sung appeared on the program and Ji Ye-eun parodied New Jeans member Hanni after her recent appearance as a witness in a state audit. Hanni appeared at the Environment and Labor Committee held on the 15th with ADOR CEO Kim Joo-young as witnesses.

At the time, Hanni mentioned bullying she had experienced at HYBE. During her final statement, she shed tears and stated, “While going through this, I thought about it but I know the law is not a solution to all the problems in the world. But if we respect each other as people, I think there won’t be any bullying or ostracism in the workplace.”

In the SNL episode that aired, Ji Ye-eun imitated Vietnamese-Australian citizen Hanni’s speech saying, “I had to come because I was bullied at work.” Kim Eui-sung also parodied Jeong In-seop, the president of Hanwha Ocean‘s Geoje plant, who had become a hot topic after he was pictured taking a selca with Hanni.

Many netizens left criticism comments writing, “She mustered up the courage to come out but it feels like they’re mocking her,” “Imitating a foreigner’s pronunciation like that.. that’s racist and discriminatory?”

Han Kang, the first Korean to win a Nobel Prize in Literature has also been the target of parody. Kim A-young parodied Han Kang’s acceptance speech, posture, and facial expressions causing controversy. This incident is also receiving an outpouring of criticism with many writing, “Who is this parody for?!” “I don’t get the intents..” “What am I supposed to laugh at?”

SNL has been embroiled in controversy for mocking ordinary people in an episode featuring Jeon Jong-seo that aired in August. At the time, when Jeon Jong-seo acted as a Japanese otaku vlogger in the corner ‘Raising Yuto-Chan‘, the production team was criticized for combining content from famous YouTubers such as Ta-Jan-ssi and Ryu Spenna to ridicule and make fun of her. 

After that, Ryu Seong-na expressed her displeasure with SNL stating, “I wonder if harassing an ordinary YouTuber who did nothing wrong on a famous program was really necessary.”

In addition, a video titled “I’ll tell you about a certain program that was really mentioned a lot,” Ta da-chan responded, “After watching the video, I was lost in thought for a moment. In fact, rather than feeling bad after watching the video, I simply had no thoughts. This is because I thought the video was a story from a world very different.”

1. [+1,524, -45] But silent on Choi Min-hee and Moon Da-hye ㅋㅋ
2. [+1,122, -206] Is that a joking matter?  
3. [+618, -275] Haven’t you seen foreigners being bullied for making racially insulting gestures with Son Heung-min eyes? What kind of world of this where we’re looking down on foreigners?? Koreans get upset when they get looked down on but its ok and natural to look down and mock other countries and cultures? 
4. [+437, -70] It’s honestly a miracle that a Literature Nobel Prize was awarded in a country that treats things in such a manner?
5. [+434, -214] They couldn’t even write Bang Si-hyuk’s name last time but used her real name and parodied it like that mocking a foreigner’s pronunciation? It’s really pathetic that they even mocked a Nobel Prize winner.. 
6. [+284, -15] What’s wrong with this? Next time, put out parodies of Choi Min-hee’s character too
7. [+256, -73] Some people act cool and try to play it off as no big deal when they’re trembling with rage inside if they get racially discriminated against like this..
8. [+135, -13] Why bring an idol that already successful. To call someone like that to the National Assembly for a state audit already shows this was political theatre. How can you parody that?? If they really wanted to address workplace bullying, they should’ve brought it real employees. The contract between an agency and celebrity isn’t an employment contract but an exclusive contract. There are countless cases of true workplace bulling among workers. Making an issue of it by bringing an idol just goes to show that they’re treating the public like dogs and pigs or proving that the National Assembly really is at the dog level
9. [+86, -8] Isn’t the real parody here the fact that they called in someone like that to come the National Assembly for a state audit over a trivial private matter that happened in in an entertainment agency..?
10. [+55, -23] If it makes you uncomfortable then don’t look.. 
11. [+44, -1] The reporters making a big deal out of this are the problematic ones ㅋㅋㅋ 
12. [+22, -1] The people who are angry at this must’ve been angry when Bang Si-hyuk’s parody came out too right..? ㅋㅋㅋ Anyway, gapjeans and their fandom are amazing..
13. [+25, -8] Is the New Jeans fandom a cult? It’s a gag show ㅋㅋㅋ .. if you don’t want to watch then don’t! Go find other high-level mindless things to giggle over then. 

Additional source(s): Herald Pop, 10Asia, E Daily, Sports Chosun, Chosun Ilbo, Yonhap News