Creator Jabsikgongryong, who had suspended activities amid controversy over regional disparagement, bowed once again as he announced his return.
On the 18th, Jabsikgongryong posted a long message on his social media saying, "I apologize for the inappropriate remarks and actions I made in the past." He went on to acknowledge, "Expressions disparaging a specific region and immature responses were clearly wrong actions."
Earlier, Jabsikgongryong shared a disparaging post about the voting results in the Jeollanam-do region, and when netizens pointed that out he retorted, "Are you from Jeolla? Looks like you got scratched," placing himself at the center of the controversy. He later posted an apology and donated 5 million won to the May 18th Memorial Foundation, but the foundation judged it to be "a donation to avoid responsibility" and returned it, which further spread the controversy. Ultimately, he made his YouTube channel and social media private and suspended activities.
About a year later, showing signs of a comeback, he also directly expressed his feelings in a YouTube video on the 11th. In the video, Jabsikgongryong said, "I think it was not an area I had the right to judge recklessly," and added, "I was extremely thoughtless, and the fact that I judged on my own was foolish. The ways I handled things afterward were all vague, and I regret them a lot."
He continued, "After the remarks I studied politics. Before that I was an idiot and a fool who didn't even know what the ruling party and the opposition party were, and I thought a lot about why I said those things," and repeatedly apologized.
He also said, "I think I should be someone who can take responsibility for my words and uphold guidance," and emphasized, "I was very thoughtless. From now on I will refrain from expressions that can cause discomfort or misunderstanding and will create responsible content."
However, public opinion about his return remains divided. Some netizens responded, "It seems he reflected," and "I hope he starts again," while others criticized, "There is a lack of sincerity," and "He won't change easily."
[Photo] YouTube capture / SNS
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