Actor Song Jin-woo stepped forward with a second apology just one day after being embroiled in a controversy over historical distortion, while Alberto has remained silent, drawing attention.
On the 26th, Song Jin-woo posted a long message on his social media saying, "I would like to speak about the unfortunate incident that happened on YouTube yesterday."
Earlier, on the 25th, a video posted on the YouTube channel '354 samosa' titled "[354 meeting] International marriage…? There are many drawbacks, mother-in-law I love you" was uploaded. The video featured Italian broadcaster Alberto Mondi, German broadcaster Daniel Lindemann, Australian broadcaster Sam Hammington, and actor Song Jin-woo discussing international marriage.
In particular, Song Jin-woo, who is married to a Japanese wife and has one son and one daughter, said, "Because the kids have Japanese blood mixed in, when they later learn history at school or something, there are cases of children who were hurt by those around them," and described the Japanese colonial period as "they fought long ago," saying he taught his children that way.
Then Alberto said, "Actually, Leo is very interested in Korean history and reads books. (Leo) says, 'Mom, Japanese people were really bad,'" and added that he often advises on perspectives of history, saying, "'They did that long ago, but now our aunt is Japanese, right? It's not that Japanese people are bad, this is history,' 'listen to both sides' and such comments." It is known that Alberto's younger brother married a Japanese woman.
After the video was released, Song Jin-woo's remark that reduced Japan's unilateral invasion to a 'fight' drew fierce criticism immediately after it was made public. In addition, Italian broadcaster Alberto's remark, "listen to both sides," reflecting a false equivalence, also came under scrutiny.
As the controversy grew, the production team quietly deleted the problematic scene and eventually switched the entire video to private. The production team later posted a long apology in the early morning saying, "The responsibility for the editing lies with the production team," but viewers' anger did not subside.
In response, Song Jin-woo left an apology as a comment on social media, but it sparked a new controversy. Because the apology was posted as a comment under a two-year-old travel video where people were laughing and chatting, criticism that "it lacks sincerity" and "is this how you apologize" intensified. Some even said, "Is this an apology in a comment that can be quietly deleted anytime?" which further spread the controversy.
Eventually Song Jin-woo bowed his head once more. This time he posted a separate message with another apology, explaining, "My mistake in using the incorrect expression that Korea and Japan 'fought' is inexcusable," and "I had no intention of distorting history. Among acquaintances I heard stories that among lower-grade children, some children were pelted with stones because of their parents' nationalities. Hearing that, as a parent raising a child of Korean-Japanese background, fear about such situations came to the forefront."
He also added, "From now on I will be more cautious and deliberate and speak only the facts so as not to repeat the same mistake. As a citizen of the Republic of Korea (Korea), I sincerely apologize once again for having improperly expressed our country's history that must not be forgotten, causing hurt and disappointment due to my fault."
However, Alberto's apology so far is 'zero-stage.' Even after the video was made private he has not issued any particular statement, and public opinion is growing colder. Some viewers expressed anger, saying, "Silent for more than half a day?", "I don't want to see him on Korean broadcasts anymore," and "He should have been the first to state his position; this is very disappointing."
Because his remark urging people to "listen to both sides" regarding the Japanese colonial period was another axis of the controversy, calls continue for a responsible explanation.
[Photo] OSEN DB / YouTube capture
[OSEN]