Fashion magazine W Korea, which hosted the breast cancer awareness campaign event "Love Your W 2025," faced fierce criticism, and the organizer issued a statement.
On the 16th, a W Korea representative told OSEN regarding the "Love Your W 2025" event, "We cannot respond," leaving only the so-called "no comment" stance.
Earlier on the 15th, "Love Your W 2025," held at a hotel in Seoul, was W Korea's largest domestic breast cancer awareness campaign event that has continued for 20 years. Each year it drew attention for its glamorous dresses and celebrity attendance, but this year too it was held in the form of a gala dinner and party, drawing criticism that there were virtually no mentions or performances related to breast cancer.
In particular, singer Jay Park's encore performance of his 2015 song "MOMMAE" ignited the controversy. Its R-rated lyrics that directly describe women's bodies, such as "the twins hanging on your chest," were seen as directly at odds with the purpose of a breast cancer campaign.
Online, users wrote, "I wonder if the celebrities at the event even searched for the word breast cancer," which felt like mockery to patients, and "Just drop the word breast cancer and have a party. As someone who lost a family member to breast cancer, the 'MOMMAE' performance makes my brow furrow." Critics also noted that elements considered essential at overseas breast cancer charity events, such as a pink dress code or pink ribbons, were nowhere to be found at the domestic event. In addition, when it was revealed that the accumulated donations over 20 years amounted to only 1.1 billion won, sharp criticism that the event was merely a superficial show intensified.
As the controversy grew, Jay Park posted an explanation and apology on his social media the next day on the 16th. He said, "After the official breast cancer campaign event ended, the party and performance were gatherings of people with busy schedules who came together with good intentions and good hearts, so I performed as usual," and bowed, saying, "If any cancer patients felt offended or uncomfortable watching my performance, I am sorry. I wish you health."
He added, "Even while injured I prepared the stage diligently without pay, so please do not abuse the good intentions," urging people not to exploit the goodwill. Although he did not directly address the choice of the song "MOMMAE," he made clear that he apologized if his performance caused discomfort to patients.
But the organizer W Korea quietly deleted the video of Jay Park's stage from its official social media shortly after the controversy and only replied "We cannot respond" to inquiries. Netizens responded with criticisms such as "The responsibility lies more with the organizer who planned the event than with the singer" and "W Korea failed to honor the event's purpose."
Of course, some defended the event, saying, "The essence of a charity event is raising funds," and argued that the party format or stage selection itself is not the main issue. However, much of public opinion has reacted coldly, saying there is a "gap between the name of 'breast cancer awareness' and the reality of the event."
[Photo] SNS
[OSEN]