"Han-nam X, Kimchi X" Excessive Hate Speech Lyrics, Is There No Way to Stop Them?

Female Discrimination and Hate Audio... Released As Is
Harmful Audio Reviewed but Measures Taken Afterwards

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporters Suwan Kim, Intern Seulgi Kim] "I am HannamX, you are makeup power XXX KimchiX"

On the 18th, a post titled "I am HannamX, you are makeup power XXX KimchiX" was uploaded on an online community. The author expressed outrage, saying, "It is unbelievable that a song with such lyrics has been released."

Controversy has arisen as songs containing discriminatory and hateful content, including misogynistic remarks, are being released. Relevant government departments review and designate harmful content in music. However, there are criticisms that since songs can be released before the review stage, the measures are merely reactive.

The lyrics of the controversial song excessively contain misogynistic expressions such as "You think you're pretty because of makeup, acting like something, so annoying X XX, then you spray perfume in the bathroom after everything," and so on. In particular, the song's title "XXX" implies a derogatory meaning towards women's menstruation.

The album containing the problematic song was released on the 7th. Netizens reacted by saying, "How can such a song be made? Nothing has changed since Black Nut," and "Some music distribution platforms don't even label it as '19+.' It's shocking," among other responses.

◆ Problematic songs designated as harmful through review... but songs themselves are freely released

Currently, the Youth Protection Environment Division under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family makes the final judgment on harmfulness through the 'Music Review Committee,' which includes related experts such as music critics, broadcast PDs, and lyricists.

A representative from the Youth Protection Environment Division stated, "No requests for review of problematic songs have been received yet at the Youth Media Environment Protection Center. However, other songs by the artist who released the problematic song are already on the review list. We will promptly request review for the relevant song as well and take appropriate measures through the review process."

They added, "The Youth Media Environment Protection Center conducts a full investigation of newly released albums to review harmful lyrics. If an album is judged harmful through the review process, it is officially announced as a harmful album on the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family website and in the official gazette."

If a reviewed song is designated as harmful, measures such as '19+' restrictions are applied to prevent youth access. However, the currently controversial song "XXX" can be listened to without any restrictions on some music platforms and YouTube.

The Youth Protection Environment Division representative explained, "Once a review is finalized and a song is judged harmful, the decision is notified to distributors, who must inform music platforms and artists. If the '19+' rating is not observed despite the harmful song designation, correction requests and legal actions are taken. However, platforms based overseas like YouTube can only be requested to cooperate and correct according to review regulations, but enforcement is not possible."

◆ "I'll make it mine even if I have to hit you," "Spread it all like an obstetrics clinic"

The problem lies in the fact that songs containing misogynistic and sexually discriminatory content are freely released without any sanctions.

The harmfulness of domestic popular music has been reviewed post-release since the abolition of the 'Pre-Review System for Popular Songs' in 1995, making regulation of music with excessive hateful expressions practically impossible.

In September, rapper Black Nut featured on rapper John Over's new song "Bless U," which included the controversial lyrics, "If it doesn't work, I'll make it mine even if I have to hit you, today you're not my woman, or else XX."

When controversy arose, he defended the violent lyrics as part of his "music concept," saying, "Why don't you understand my music concept? If you misunderstand, I break down. I respect women more than anyone. I don't use the word XX carelessly, believe me XX."

Black Nut was sentenced in December last year to six months in prison with a two-year probation for his self-composed song "Too Real," which contained sexually insulting lyrics towards rapper KittiB, and for repeatedly performing sexually humiliating acts during his concerts.

In February last year, indie singer Geomjeong Chima's third album "Tirsty" included expressions such as "What I want is five minutes, at most fifteen minutes. It's too late to regret piling my body again on your nice bed," and "You're a vulgar girl I like," sparking controversy over misogyny.

Also, in 2015, rapper Song Minho performed a song on Mnet's "Show Me The Money 4" containing the lyrics "Shoot your daughter, spread her like an obstetrics clinic." At the time, Song Minho apologized, saying, "I sincerely and deeply regret it," after receiving protests from the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Experts commented on the production of content containing misogynistic expressions, saying, "They are aware of the hateful expressions but produce content as a way to draw attention and reveal themselves."

Popular culture critic Deokhyun Jung said, "In hip-hop, diss battles have become a kind of culture, but content that hates someone can be seen as a misuse of this diss battle culture. Also, recent popular culture content tends to provoke controversy to create issues," he said.

Critic Jung added, "However, it is hard to see the public's response to such popular culture as a universal reaction. Hate tends to divide camps and attack the opposing side. The public who respond to this culture likely share irrational thoughts. It can be seen as people who have a psychological resistance to feminist content sympathizing with it," he pointed out.