"The 'That Person' in the Lyrics Is Not Michael Jackson but a Secret Power Broker"
Digital single cover image of An Chi-hwan's 'A Woman Who Resembles Michael Jackson'. / Photo by A&L Entertainment
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Singer An Chi-hwan, who sparked controversy by releasing a new song that seemed to disparage Kim Gun-hee, the wife of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, has stated that "interpretation is up to the listener."
On the 14th, An Chi-hwan wrote on his YouTube channel 'An Chi-hwan TV,' "Thank you for your opinions on the recently released 'A Woman Who Resembles Michael Jackson,'" adding, "Although I created the song, as a creator, my belief is that once my song is released to the world, the evaluation and interpretation of the song belong to the listeners."
He continued, "When I released 'Irony' two years ago, interpretations varied widely. This song has also received a wide range of interpretations and evaluations," adding, "There are positive aspects as well as harsh criticisms. Since the interpretation of the song's meaning is up to the listener, I will humbly accept all feedback."
He further clarified, "I hope there will be no misunderstandings. In the phrase 'One such person is enough,' the 'such person' does not refer to Michael Jackson but to the secretive figure of the Park Geun-hye administration currently in prison," emphasizing, "This was only a few years ago. The dark shadow of power that caused national despair through state affairs manipulation. This song was created like a talisman out of the despair that such a nightmare could repeat."
The controversial song is An Chi-hwan's new digital single 'A Woman Who Resembles Michael Jackson,' released on the 11th. The lyrics include lines such as "Why are you like that / What are you dreaming of / You should wish for what you want / Are you out of your mind," and "A woman who resembles Michael Jackson / A woman who changed her face many times / A woman who changed her name many times / No more No more / One such person is enough."
Some have claimed that the song targets and criticizes Kim Gun-hee, the wife of candidate Yoon, pointing to the repeated use of the word "geoni," which sounds similar to "Gun-hee." The phrase "a woman who changed her face many times" was also criticized as mocking Kim's alleged plastic surgery, constituting an attack on her appearance.
Given this situation, the People Power Party immediately voiced strong opposition to the song.
Park Min-jung, Youth Spokesperson for the Women's Headquarters of the People Power Party's Election Committee, said, "An Chi-hwan has been a figure who satirized society and composed folk songs for the people, and was once praised," but criticized, "This time, 'A Woman Who Resembles Michael Jackson' simply targets external appearances without any content to criticize, leaving only discomfort."
In particular, Spokesperson Park pointed out, "The content, soaked in appearance disparagement and misogyny, is no longer satire or humor but low-quality mockery."
She added, "His actions to personally disparage women and turn them into objects of ridicule are clearly misogynistic," and said, "It clearly shows his backward and low-level awareness. It is shocking and lamentable that songs based on misogyny can still be released to the world. I hope An Chi-hwan apologizes not only to Kim Gun-hee but to everyone who felt discomfort because of this song."
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