"Chocolate Performance Clearly Intended as 'Namhyem'?" Netizens Claim
Controversy Starting at GS25 Spreads to Entertainment Industry
"Excessive Speculation and Criticism Are Too Much," Some Express Fatigue
Jaejae's Side Says "Just an Impromptu Performance... Surprised by the Controversy"
On the 13th, broadcaster Jaejae, who attended the Baeksang Arts Awards, is performing by picking up and eating chocolate at the awards ceremony. Photo by Broadcast Screen Capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Broadcaster Jaejae faced claims that his performance of picking up and eating chocolate at an awards ceremony involved making a hand gesture symbolizing 'misandry' (hatred of men).
Some netizens argue that the way Jaejae picked up and ate the chocolate resembles a gesture used in the female-centered community 'Megalia' to disparage Korean men. On the other hand, there are criticisms that these are excessive speculations about a natural movement during the process of eating chocolate.
Jaejae, who gained popularity through the web entertainment show 'Civilization Express,' attended the '57th Baeksang Arts Awards' ceremony held on the 13th at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
The controversy arose during Jaejae's performance of eating chocolate on the red carpet that day. It was pointed out that the shape of the fingers holding the chocolate resembled a symbol used in Megalia to disparage men.
Some netizens claimed that Jaejae is a feminist and intentionally expressed misandry.
On the 17th, a netizen posted a thread titled 'Baeksang Arts Awards Red Carpet Hand Gesture' on an online community, uploading several photos comparing Jaejae posing at the photo line with other celebrities. The author pointed out, "Other celebrities just pose, but this person (Jaejae) is making that hand gesture while eating something."
In the comments on this post, netizens said, "What could be the meaning of deliberately doing such an action amid the current controversy?" and "Jaejae is usually sensitive to trends. This is definitely intentional." Some netizens also harshly criticized Jaejae, saying, "Why eat food on the red carpet?" and "He brought this controversy upon himself."
This is not the first time misandry controversy has arisen over a finger gesture. Earlier, GS25 released a promotional poster for camping supplies on the 1st, but the drawing of a sausage and the finger gesture trying to grab it on the poster was criticized as misandry.
GS25 explained that the poster had nothing to do with misandry, but as the criticism did not subside, they eventually removed the controversial image from the poster and apologized.
The misandry controversy that started with GS25 spread to other companies such as BBQ, Kyochon, OB Beer, and Musinsa, causing confusion as these companies successively revised their promotional images and issued explanatory statements.
However, there is also criticism that it is unreasonable to automatically link and criticize the use of certain hand gestures in product promotions as misandry.
Im, a worker in his 20s, said, "It is too much to speculate and criticize that eating chocolate at an awards ceremony is misandry. Do we now have to be careful even about hand gestures?" He added, "I feel fatigued these days due to such indiscriminate criticism and baseless claims."
Meanwhile, Jaejae's side clarified that the performance had nothing to do with misandry.
The production team of 'Civilization Express,' hosted by Jaejae, released a statement on the 17th saying, "We, including Jaejae and the 'Civilization Express' production team, are greatly embarrassed that a natural action of picking up and eating chocolate has escalated into a specific controversy," adding, "It is clearly different from any particular hand gesture or shape and is completely unrelated."
Regarding the reason for the chocolate-eating performance, they explained, "Two days before the Baeksang Arts Awards, during the process of appearing on an OTT broadcast, we requested a stylist to prepare Jaejae's outfit for the awards ceremony. While trying on various clothes, the stylist introduced an outfit with a pocket resembling a snack bag and suggested, 'You can put snacks in here and take them out to eat.' Spontaneously, we agreed to try a unique red carpet performance."
They continued, "The 'Civilization Express' production team decided to carry out the chocolate-eating performance on the red carpet on the day of the ceremony as part of content creation and a cheerful performance, and also to keep the promise with the stylist," and earnestly requested, "We kindly ask for restraint from baseless speculation and controversy."
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