Controversy Over Misogyny Sparks Blue House Petition, Flood of Calls to Drop 'I Live Alone'
Webtoon Revised and Apology Posted
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Cartoonist and broadcaster Gian84 (real name Kim Hee-min, 36) apologized after his webtoon 'Bokhakwang' was embroiled in a controversy over misogyny.
Gian84 posted an apology at the end of episode 304, "Flatfish Man" Part 2 of 'Bokhakwang,' saying, "I am truly sorry for causing concern again due to inappropriate depictions in the work."
Episode 304, "Flatfish Man" Part 2, the most recently released free episode, was criticized for containing misogynistic content. The problematic part implied that a female intern lacking qualifications became a full-time employee after having a sexual relationship with her male superior.
As the controversy grew, Gian84 made some revisions, but posts demanding the suspension of Gian84's webtoon serialization appeared on the Blue House's national petition board. There were also numerous calls for his withdrawal on the viewer board of the ongoing program "I Live Alone."
Gian84 explained, "While adding the setting that Bong Ji-eun, who has difficulty finding a job, relies on her cuteness, I drew a cute otter to comically satirize such a society."
He continued, "I tried to express the scene where the otter breaks open clams to get food by overlapping it with Bong Ji-eun floating in the water, pushing aside a restaurant chair, but I think I did not deeply consider this scene."
Gian84 said he revised the criticized drawings and dialogues, adding, "I sincerely apologize to the readers for causing discomfort. I will be more careful with both major and minor expressions in the manuscript."
Naver Webtoon stated, "We will work with the author to be more cautious about various issues addressed in future works."
Below is the full apology posted by Gian84.
Hello, this is Gian84.
I am truly sorry for causing concern again due to inappropriate depictions in the work.
In the previous episode, while adding the setting that Bong Ji-eun, who has difficulty finding a job, relies on her cuteness, I thought about a scene that could comically satirize such a society and drew a cute otter.
In particular, I tried to express the scene where the otter breaks open clams to get food by overlapping it with Bong Ji-eun floating in the water, pushing aside a restaurant chair, but I think I did not deeply consider this scene.
Also, after reviewing readers' criticisms about the character relying on cuteness or getting a job through a romantic relationship with her superior, I made additional revisions to the dialogues and drawings.
I should have thought more and worked more carefully on the manuscript, but I sincerely apologize to the readers for causing discomfort.
Since many people are paying attention, I will be more careful with both major and minor expressions in the manuscript.
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