Super Junior's Choi Si-won was swept up in fierce controversy after posting a tribute to U.S. conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk (Charlie Kirk). As criticism grew intense, he offered a personal explanation, but fans' reactions remain chilly.
Choi Si-won posted a lengthy message through the official fan community Bubble on the 12th to state his position. He said, "There has been much discussion regarding the tribute to Charlie Kirk, so I will explain," and added, "He was a Christian and the head of a family, and the loss of his life from a shooting while speaking before many college students was a heartbreaking tragedy beyond political orientation. That is why I paid tribute." He went on, "After posting it the media gave it a lot of attention, but it seemed to be interpreted differently from my intention, so I took the post down," and added, "Even so, because interest continues, I will explain once more."
Earlier, on the 11th Choi Si-won posted on his social media a photo of the deceased with the text "REST IN PEACE CHARLIE KIRK." He also posted a family photo bearing the phrase "Well done, good and faithful servant."
The problem is that Charlie Kirk was not a simple lecturer but a close ally of former President Donald Trump and a leading far-right figure. He has faced severe criticism in the U.S. for remarks opposing gun control and has sparked controversies over anti-LGBTQ sentiments and racism. For this reason, domestic and international fans expressed disappointment at Choi Si-won's tribute.
As the controversy spread, Choi Si-won deleted the post, but fans' anger did not subside. Some overseas fans launched the #SIWON_OUT hashtag campaign and even created accounts demanding his expulsion.
Netizen reactions were sharply divided. On one side, critics said, "It was too careless to offer a tribute without considering the political context," and "Mourning a far-right figure goes beyond simple condolence." On the other hand, some defended him, saying, "He was purely mourning a tragic death," and "What he mourned was the person as a human being, not his political actions."
What is most ironic is that just two months earlier on the variety show Knowing Bros he had flatly said, "I have no interest in politics." At the time members joked to Choi Si-won, "Try running for Minister of culture, sports and tourism," and "Are you collecting campaign songs?" Choi Si-won emphasized, "I really don't think about politics. I am proud of our activities themselves."
The Choi Si-won who had drawn a clear line from politics now finds himself at the center of a political controversy. Netizens are passionately debating, offering both criticism that "his words and actions differ" and views that "it could be a distorted misunderstanding different from his intention."
[Photo] 'OSEN DB, broadcast screen capture'
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