W Korea breast cancer campaign controversy continues despite apology ... "Was it a celeb party?" internet user anger spreads
Fashion magazine W Korea conducted the breast cancer awareness campaign "Love Your W" and has faced fierce criticism for a program and inappropriate stage production that did not match the event's purpose. Despite issuing an official apology, the controversy has not subsided, and both entertainers and internet users have publicly expressed discomfort, with aftershocks continuing.
The event in question was held on the 15th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul. Marking its 20th anniversary this year, the campaign was presented as aiming to raise awareness of breast cancer and the importance of screenings, but many criticized that the actual scene resembled a lavish celeb party. In particular, singer Park Jae-beom's performance of the song "Mommae" was the decisive blow. Criticism spread explosively that the song's lyrics and choreography were totally inconsistent with the event's purpose of "breast cancer awareness improvement."
As the controversy grew, Park Jae-beom apologized, saying he "did not consider that it was an event intended for donations," but the silence of the organizer W Korea only fueled discontent. The official social media left only glamorous party photos rather than content related to "breast cancer," prompting criticism such as "Is this even a charity event?" On the 19th, W Korea belatedly posted an apology, saying it "accepts the criticism that the event composition and proceedings were inappropriate" and "deeply apologizes for causing hurt to breast cancer patients and their families." However, public opinion had already turned away.
Internet users reacted cynically, saying, "This was not awareness improvement but a 'celeb awareness improvement' event," and "11 hundred million won collected over 20 years? A public pink run raised four times that — it's shameful," and adding, "A campaign that should have empowered breast cancer patients instead hurt them," and "Calling an event with only alcohol, lighting and revealing outfits 'charity'."
Public criticism from entertainers and influencers followed. YouTuber Jung Sun-ho, who has 1.83 million subscribers, said, "I played that song for my mother who had breast cancer surgery and she was very upset," and directly criticized, "Do you improve awareness by gathering celebs for a party? The organizer is the biggest problem." Also, Kwon Mina, formerly of AOA, said, "My older sister has lived for years in anxiety because of breast cancer," and criticized, "If they truly cared about patients, such a drinking party would not have been held." She complained, "Seeing the word 'breast cancer' attached under glamorous lighting was agonizing."
Meanwhile, W Korea editor-in-chief Lee Hye-ju deleted all SNS posts immediately after the controversy and has remained silent, which further aggravated public opinion. Having gained public recognition from appearing on past broadcast programs, there are growing voices that "as a person responsible for a public event, she needs to make a statement."
Four days have passed since the apology, but the controversy is still ongoing. Criticism continues, saying, "Specific improvements are needed rather than an insincere apology," and "A 20-minute performance has already ruined the image more than 20 years of history."
[Photo] SNS
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