[Comprehensive] Apology Issued Amid Controversy Over Popular YouTube Channel's "Irene's Figure Not Great" Comment

Controversial Video Deleted on the Date

A YouTube channel Ripple_S, which has 490,000 subscribers, posted a video containing comments evaluating the body figure of Red Velvet member Irene. Photo by YouTube Ripple_S channel video capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] The YouTube channel Ripple_S, which has 490,000 subscribers, is facing ongoing controversy after posting a video containing comments evaluating the body figure of Irene, a member of the group Red Velvet. As the controversy grew, the channel posted an apology and deleted the problematic video.

On the 7th, the YouTube channel Ripple uploaded a video titled "I am the Red Velvet Irene of this area." In the video, the participants played a game where each person stuck a name of a person on their forehead and tried to guess who they were.

The controversial scene occurred when a female participant was trying to guess the name "Irene" written on her forehead. She asked a male participant next to her, "Does she have a good body?" and the male participant replied, "By my standards, not really."

Hearing this, the female participant mentioned the male participant’s name and said, "His standards are very high."

Viewers pointed out that the comments evaluating a body figure were inappropriate. Some netizens who saw the news also raised their voices in criticism, saying, "It's rude," "What kind of game asks about body figures to guess who someone is?" "Apologize to Irene," and "Why are the questions like that?"

In particular, the video was shared through online communities and social networking services (SNS), which further intensified the controversy.

Group Red Velvet member Irene. Photo by Yonhap News

As the controversy continued, Ripple deleted the video. On the 9th, Ripple posted an apology on YouTube, saying, "We bow our heads and sincerely apologize to all viewers and fans who love Red Velvet," and added, "We truly did not intend to produce this video to 'critique' or 'evaluate the body figure' of a specific person. Please understand that this was never our intention."

Ripple continued, "I take full responsibility for the content, so I humbly accept criticism directed at me. However, I ask that you refrain from criticizing individuals. Especially, please understand that extreme insults and slander only create a vicious cycle of negative emotions."

The participant who made the problematic remarks in the video also apologized on YouTube on the 10th, saying, "I have caused offense to Red Velvet’s Irene and Red Velvet fans with my remarks," and "I sincerely listened to the feedback you gave, and I will not make any excuses for my careless words on a highly accessible platform like YouTube. I will reflect on my actions."

She added, "I will be more careful with my choice of words and behavior to ensure that such mistakes are not repeated in the future," and "I sincerely bow my head and apologize."