[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] A Filipino singer and former beauty queen of the 'Miss Earth' pageant engaged in a heated exchange with K-pop fans on social media.
On the 25th (local time), foreign media including SCMP reported that Imelda Batista Schweighart (25), a Filipino singer and 2016 'Miss Earth' representative from the Philippines, criticized K-pop fans by saying, "I hate K-pop."
Schweighart, a German-Filipino, stated, "Filipinos are trying to become like Koreans and losing their identity. Preserve your pride," and expressed superiority by saying, "It is a clear fact that Filipinos speak English better than Koreans."
She continued, "Did you think it was the Chinese who invaded the Philippines? You are misunderstanding something. We have always been invaded," and criticized, "Those who identify themselves as K-pop stars are probably imagining themselves after having undergone a lot of plastic surgery."
Her remarks were interpreted as claims that the K-pop craze in the Philippines is eroding Filipino culture and promoting plastic surgery and insecurity. In response, netizens criticized her, saying, "You should not bring in misguided nationalism to incite people."
However, regarding Western culture, she praised it, saying, "Western influence is at the highest level. We are still under their feet today," and "We pay respect to them as the model of everything. We Filipinos need them. Ultimately, they are superior to us."
After some angry K-pop fans reported her social media account, leading to its suspension, she resumed activities under a different account and threatened, "I am filing lawsuits against everyone under laws related to cyberbullying, cyberstalking, invasion of privacy, and defamation."
Meanwhile, the Miss Earth pageant she won is a beauty contest themed around raising awareness of environmental protection and is considered one of the four major international beauty pageants alongside Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International. At the time of her 2016 win, she was also at the center of controversy for insulting Miss Ecuador, who was crowned Miss Earth that year.
At that time, she harshly criticized the winner, saying, "Fake nose, fake chin, fake breasts," claiming that although they shared a room, the winner herself admitted to having plastic surgery.
As the controversy intensified, she apologized, saying, "If telling the truth is a crime, I am sorry," withdrew from the pageant organization, and voluntarily relinquished her crown. However, she continued her 'unrestrained blunt remarks' by comparing President Rodrigo Duterte to Hitler and repeatedly apologizing, saying, "If telling the truth is a crime, I am sorry."
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