[Comprehensive] "Poor Keyboard Warrior" An Sang-tae's Wife, Neighbor Criticism Controversy... Interfloor Noise Conflict Escalates

A post by Jo In-bin, the wife of comedian Ahn Sang-tae, uploaded on her Instagram on the 18th. Photo by Instagram capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Recently, the controversy continues as A, the wife of comedian Ahn Sang-tae, who is known to have had conflicts with neighbors over noise between floors, posted a message seemingly criticizing the downstairs residents. Previously, comedian Lee Hwi-jae and his wife Moon Jung-won also faced controversy after the downstairs neighbors complained about noise between floors.

On the 18th, A posted on her Instagram, "The poor Celebrity living upstairs. The poor KeyboardWarrior (someone who leaves aggressive comments online) living downstairs," along with an image showing a person wearing a dinosaur costume playing guitar and singing upstairs.

Although A did not specify any individual in the post, speculation arose that it was aimed at the downstairs residents involved in the recent noise conflict. Ahn Sang-tae liked the post.

Earlier, B, who identified as Ahn Sang-tae’s downstairs neighbor, complained on an online community on the 12th about discomfort caused by noise from Ahn Sang-tae’s family.

B revealed, "I moved in March last year and, being pregnant, worked from home thanks to my company’s consideration. I visited the upstairs neighbors twice about the noise issue, but the situation did not improve."

On the third visit, B claimed the response was, "You know it’s illegal to come knocking like this, right? Then should I tie up the kid?"

In response, Ahn Sang-tae admitted fault for causing noise between floors but expressed feelings of unfairness, saying there was a misunderstanding.

Ahn Sang-tae said in an interview with Hankyung.com on the 13th, "Because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we couldn’t go to academies or go out, so I think that person was also under stress," but added, "The doorbell rings five times a day, and there was a misunderstanding about interior construction happening next door, so I also responded sensitively."

He continued, "We can’t keep telling a growing child not to run, so ultimately, the only option left is to move. I am very sorry as the child did run."

Comedian Lee Hwijae. Photo by Yonhap News

Lee Hwi-jae and Moon Jung-won also recently had disputes with neighbors over noise between floors.

C, who claimed to live in the downstairs unit of Lee Hwi-jae’s family, left a comment on Moon’s Instagram post on the 11th, saying, "I live downstairs. If you’re going to let the kids run inside the house for hours, please at least put down mats for them to run on," and added, "I think I have politely asked at least five times already, but how long do we have to endure this without any improvement?"

Moon apologized for the noise in a comment on the night of the 12th. She said, "I feel so sorry that I keep apologizing every time. Since the last time we met, I have been really, really careful. It seems mats placed in parts don’t work, so we ordered custom-made mats."

She added, "We didn’t know the soundproofing and vibration-proofing were so poor when we moved here," and said, "Since it’s a problem that can’t be solved due to the building’s structure, we are very upset and sorry. We will be more careful, scold, and teach the kids more. Sorry for causing concern."

However, criticism has intensified as past YouTube videos and Instagram posts uploaded by Lee Hwi-jae’s family showing children playing baseball or engaging in active play inside the house without mats have been reexamined.