No-Audience Matches Held to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
Controversy Over Mannequin Presumed to Be Adult Toy in Stands
FC Seoul Apologizes, "Sorry for Not Fully Understanding"
UK's The Sun and Other Foreign Media Report 'Adult Doll' Incident
Experts Call for "Gender Sensitivity"
Before the match between FC Seoul and Gwangju FC in the 2020 K League 1 on the afternoon of the 17th, cheering mannequins prepared by FC Seoul were installed in the stands of Seoul World Cup Stadium. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Amid ongoing matches without spectators due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), FC Seoul has faced criticism for placing a sex doll, an adult product, in the stands, raising concerns about a lack of gender sensitivity. Although the club promptly apologized, the controversy over using a sex doll in matches that anyone, including children and adolescents, can watch has not easily subsided.
During the match on the 17th, the sex doll placed in the stands was seen holding an "FC Seoul" placard with both hands raised. There was a doll wearing a red jacket, as well as one dressed in tight pants.
Netizens who saw this voiced criticism. Various online communities expressed comments such as, "Are they sane to set up a sex doll emphasizing unnaturally large breasts as a mannequin?" and "It is inappropriate to display adult products in public places."
One netizen posted on an online community, saying, "The problem is not just the cheering phrase," and criticized, "Is it reasonable that they had no idea what was wrong while installing the mannequin before the controversy broke out?"
They added, "The intention is so obvious that it is disgusting," and said, "Even though it was a match without spectators, it is a public place and a game enjoyed by all ages, so using such a mannequin itself is problematic."
Another netizen said, "Even if we concede a hundred times that they didn't know, they must have checked (the stands) for management purposes before the game," and added, "Did no one notice anything strange after it was installed? Honestly, it was a mannequin emphasizing only female breasts, so they should have thought it was odd." They also criticized, "It is also a problem to present this as a fun event. The person responsible should come forward and properly explain."
FC Seoul apologized again on the 18th through the club's official social networking service (SNS).Photo by FC Seoul Official Instagram Capture
As the controversy intensified, FC Seoul's marketing team held a press conference immediately after the match and explained, "It was our oversight for not checking the cheering phrase. It was a mishap."
They added, "The mannequins were installed by a company that supplies mannequins to the fashion sector, but since that company lacked enough mannequins, it seems they installed samples provided by a management company that handles past BJs at the stadium."
Later, on the 18th, FC Seoul issued another apology through the club's official social network service (SNS).
FC Seoul stated, "We apologize to our fans regarding the cheering mannequins installed during the match on the 17th. We sincerely regret causing deep concern," and explained, "From the beginning, we confirmed that the mannequins installed were products completely unrelated to the adult products of concern. However, during the process of returning and reinstalling mannequins previously supplied, cheering phrases containing the name of a company related to adult products and a specific BJ were exposed. We failed to check the details thoroughly, and without excuses, this was our fault."
They continued, "We will consider what measures to take after more diverse diagnoses and reviews of this issue," and added, "We will also not neglect efforts to prevent recurrence in the future."
However, despite the club's explanation, the controversy continues to grow.
Foreign media such as the British daily The Sun reported on the 17th (local time) about the mannequins placed in the empty stands of Seoul's Sangam World Cup Stadium, stating, "They were revealed to be 'adult dolls promoting a local adult store.' FC Seoul apologized for this."
Moreover, overseas media including Portugal's Mais Futebol, Greece's Ethnos, and Romania's Digi Sport also reported on the appearance of the 'sex doll' in the stands.
Real doll. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Previously, in June last year, a Supreme Court ruling that canceled the suspension of sex doll imports sparked controversy.
Following the ruling, protests condemning the decision to allow sex doll imports took place, and petitions demanding a ban on sex doll imports were posted on the Blue House's (Cheong Wa Dae) petition board, reflecting strong criticism of the ruling.
There were particular concerns that sex dolls resembling female celebrities, acquaintances, or even children could be produced, potentially leading to secondary harm.
A petition titled "Please ban the import and sale of sex dolls," posted on the Blue House petition board last year, garnered over 200,000 signatures.
The petitioner wrote, "It is an adult device similar to a mannequin that replicates the physical features of a woman from head to toe," and added, "Not only the hairstyle but also the position of moles can be customized, and even the desired face can be custom-made."
They continued, "In Korea, there are cases where obscene photos are digitally combined with the faces of celebrities or acquaintances and posted online," and warned, "There is no guarantee that sex dolls won't be treated the same way. If your face unknowingly becomes a sex doll, who will take responsibility for the psychological shock?"
Experts have suggested that gender sensitivity education is necessary to address such issues.
Lee Geonjeong, Director of the Women's Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said, "This is a very regrettable incident," and regarding FC Seoul's failure to take action during the time the mannequins were installed, she stated, "It is unfortunate that the relevant parties did not take prior measures."
She added, "I think this incident made us realize once again how much gender sensitivity is needed in every corner of daily life."
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