"At Karaoke in This Situation?" Lee Hyori X Yoona, Controversy Over Drunken Live Broadcast at Karaoke

Singer Lee Hyori (left) and Girls' Generation member Yoona. Photo by Lee Hyori Instagram

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Singers Lee Hyori and Yoona have sparked controversy by doing a live broadcast from a karaoke room. Some netizens criticized their visit to the karaoke room as reckless, given the vulnerability to infection from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

On the 1st, Lee Hyori posted a photo on her Instagram taken with Girls' Generation member Yoona, whom she became close to through the JTBC variety show 'Hyori's Homestay 2'.

The released photo shows the two wearing similar hats and looking at the camera. There are beer glasses placed on the table.

Afterwards, the two started a personal Instagram live broadcast from the karaoke room following a drinking session. While Yoona adjusted the camera, Lee Hyori held the karaoke microphone and explained, "We drank with Yoona and came to a karaoke room in Apgujeong," and Yoona said, "I'm not drunk."

On the 1st, singers Lee Hyori (right) and Yoona are seen conducting a live broadcast at a karaoke room. Photo by Online Community

Lee Hyori told Yoona to "choose a song" and continued the live broadcast. Upon seeing a comment from a netizen criticizing their visit to the karaoke room, she was surprised and asked, "Is it not okay to come to a karaoke room?" Hearing this, Yoona explained, "We came wearing masks properly." The two quickly put on the masks they had placed on the table.

Eventually, Lee Hyori and Yoona ended the live broadcast in less than two minutes.

Afterwards, a heated debate about their live broadcast took place on online communities and social networking services (SNS).

Some netizens responded with comments such as, "Visiting a karaoke room in this situation is reckless behavior," "They seem to lack awareness of the COVID-19 risk," and "Why create controversy unnecessarily?"

Other netizens pointed out excessive criticism, saying, "The interference is too much," and "They didn't break any laws and put on masks right away, so what's the problem?"

Following the controversy, Lee Hyori deleted the photo that appeared to have been taken during the drinking session with Yoona.