Singer Soyou recently raised allegations of racial discrimination on a flight to Korea, but some internet users say it is difficult to judge hastily because the full context of the incident is not known.
Soyou posted a long message on her personal social media on the 19th, saying, "After finishing my schedule in New York, I boarded a flight to Korea via Atlanta," and described the situation. According to the post, while tired she only asked for a Korean flight attendant to check meal service times, but the attendant took issue with Soyou's demeanor and treated her like a "problematic passenger," then called security. Soyou wrote that she felt she had to say she would get off the plane and that she had to endure cold stares and attitudes for the rest of the flight, adding that she could not eat anything during the more than 15-hour flight and that the experience left a wound stemming from racial bias. She concluded by saying she hoped no one would be suspected or insulted because of their race.
But Soyou's claim does not have unanimous support. Online, many have said that calling security in business class is uncommon and that there is not enough information to conclude racial discrimination from a fragmentary post. Some internet users said, "There may be circumstances we do not know about," and "Other factors such as airline internal rules or misunderstandings between passengers could have been involved," calling for a cautious approach. Above all, there is a mood of caution about the one-sided claim that cuts out the surrounding circumstances.
Another reaction criticized Soyou for asking specifically for a Korean flight attendant. People said, "Demanding only Korean flight attendants on a foreign carrier can create a reverse discrimination situation," and "If you want to be treated with consideration for language and service differences when using foreign airlines, choosing a domestic carrier is an option."
Meanwhile, many internet users say there should be caution against one-sided criticism when the facts are not clearly established. The prevailing reaction is that official confirmation from the airline and the parties involved is needed rather than judging based on only one side. Some expressed sympathy for Soyou, saying, "She must have been really upset to post that; I hope it gets resolved well."
In the end, a variety of interpretations and reactions dominate. Above all, because the heavy topic of "racial discrimination" is involved, internet users are urging that people look at the situation carefully after sufficient fact-checking.
[Photo] OSEN DB, SNS
[OSEN]