Hollywood actor Ansel Elgort appeared at an official event held in Korea wearing traditional Japanese clothing and faced fierce criticism.
Ansel Elgort, who is also beloved in Korea for films such as Baby Driver and West Side Story, attended the "CJ Night in celebration of Frieze Seoul" event held in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 2nd.
On the day, top domestic stars and figures from the cultural world such as Lee Byung-hun, Rhee Minjung, Lee Jeong, director Park Chan-wook and G-Dragon attended in large numbers, lighting up the event.
Despite being an official cultural event held in Korea, Ansel Elgort appeared wearing a yukata (kimono), a traditional Japanese garment. Korean internet users who saw this could not hide their bewilderment and anger, saying, "Why wear a yukata at a Korean event", "rude and inconsiderate", "what was he thinking to come dressed like that", among others. In particular, amid a sensitive domestic mood over recent Japan-related issues, his thoughtless attire drew even harsher criticism.
As the controversy grew, his personal history is being reexamined.
In May, Ansel Elgort belatedly revealed that he and his Japanese partner Miona had welcomed a son in February. He shared a photo of his newborn son Neo and Miona wearing an engagement ring, saying, "Becoming a father is energizing and exhausting, but everything beyond that," revealing his "dotting father" side. He also showed deep familiarity with Japanese culture, posting videos in which he conversed fluently in Japanese with Miona.
However, many argue that wearing traditional Japanese clothing that is inappropriate for the situation and place at an official forum of another country is clearly inconsiderate, despite personal background and familiarity.
Meanwhile, Ansel Elgort will play legendary designer Hubert de Givenchy in the upcoming Audrey Hepburn biopic Dinner With Audrey.
[Photo] Ansel Elgort SNS
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