Writer and broadcaster Kwak Jeong-eun apologized for her past "bed comment" about singer Jang Kiha.
On the 18th, Kwak Jeong-eun uploaded a video to her YouTube channel titled "What does a 48-year-old single woman do at night? true night routine and my bought-and-paid-for must-haves."
In the video, Kwak Jeong-eun said, "Actually, I talked about beds in detail today, and the word bed is very special to me," and mentioned the "bed comment" she made about Jang Kiha 12 years ago.
Earlier, when Kwak Jeong-eun appeared on SBS's Magic Eye in 2014 as a guest, she said of guest Jang Kiha, "When he sits still he seems taciturn, but once he starts singing he has explosive energy. So I imagine what this man would be like in bed."
When that remark became controversial, Kwak Jeong-eun said, "When I called Jang Kiha 'a man who makes you curious about what he's like in bed,' it was 100% meant as a positive compliment about the man Jang Kiha as a 'body that sings and dances' and the man Jang Kiha as a 'soul that converses quietly and carefully,' after seeing both sides of him. Even if my intention was a positive compliment, if the person involved was offended, I should apologize a hundred times over. The fact I can say is that on that day Jang Kiha received my remark pleasantly and invited me to the opening concert of his new album's Seoul tour," she said.
In particular, Kwak Jeong-eun said, "Living in a society that has not experienced the healthy release of desire is a tragedy for everyone. A society where people must only say things that nobody finds uncomfortable has no future. Happiness found in solemnism is not large. And I simply enjoy doing what I believe is right."
Bringing up the "bed comment" again after 12 years, Kwak Jeong-eun said, "Many people may guess the reason, but 12 years ago I appeared on a variety show and said about a male celebrity, 'This man makes you curious what he would be like in bed,' which led to many articles for a while and many comments asking 'how could she say that.'"
Kwak Jeong-eun said, "To answer now, at that time I had spent most of my life for 13 years as a monthly magazine reporter, Kwak Jeong-eun, who wrote many of the most sexual articles in Korea. So my understanding of broadcasting was low, and expressions tolerated in magazines are seen by a much larger audience on broadcast, so I failed to think they might not be tolerated and could cause discomfort."
She added, "Whatever my intent, there is a contextual situation at the time the remark is made, so I came to understand that carefully checking that is the responsibility of the speaker. I offer my sincere apologies, belatedly, to those who were made uncomfortable by my expression then. Even now there are people who still leave comments like 'I wonder what this woman would be like in bed?' To those people I want to say please let go of the anger at someone for something said on a variety show 12 years ago, and I would appreciate it if you would also listen to the various things I talk about."
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