[Issue Summary] "I Was Wrong" Will Smith's 'Live Slap'... Apologized but Hollywood Remains 'Cold'

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and PD Jingeun Yoon] On the 27th (local time), at the Academy Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles (LA), actor Will Smith apologized after slapping presenter Chris Rock. It was just one day after the incident occurred.

He mentioned Rock on Instagram, saying, "I want to publicly apologize to you. I crossed the line and I was wrong." Earlier, Smith had apologized to the organizers and attendees for causing the incident during his Best Actor acceptance speech at the ceremony. However, this is the first time he has directly apologized to Rock, the victim of the assault.

Regarding his act of violence, he said, "Violence is toxic and destructive in any form. My behavior is unacceptable and inexcusable."

However, Smith explained the situation at the time, saying, "Taking jokes directed at me is part of my job, but I thought the joke about Jada (his wife)'s illness was too much, so I reacted emotionally." He then apologized to the producers, all attendees, and viewers watching worldwide.

He also expressed his apologies to the Williams family and the production team of the film King Richard. He won the Best Actor award for his role as Richard Williams, the father who raised tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, in this film.

Smith said, "I deeply regret my actions. If it weren't for my behavior, last night would have been a beautiful experience for all of us," adding, "I am still a work in progress."

The incident has also drawn criticism from fellow actors. On the 29th (local time), Jim Carrey said in an interview with CBS Morning News host Gayle King regarding Will Smith slapping presenter Chris Rock during the Academy Awards the previous day, "He lost it." He added, "Will Smith should have been arrested immediately," and claimed that Chris Rock did not report Smith to the police because "he did not want the hassle."

He continued, "If it were me, I would have announced this morning that I was suing Will Smith and filed a $200 million (approximately 242.4 billion KRW) lawsuit," adding, "That video will remain forever. Because it can be seen anywhere, that humiliation will last a very long time."

Richard Williams (80), the real-life figure from the film King Richard that earned Will Smith the Best Actor award, also criticized Smith's assault. Through his son and spokesperson, Chavoita Lesane, he said on NBC, "No one can tolerate hitting another person unless it is self-defense."

Meanwhile, regarding this assault incident, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which organizes the awards, condemned the act on the 28th and launched an official investigation.

In a statement, AMPAS said, "The Academy condemns Smith's behavior at last night's show," adding, "We have officially begun an investigation into this incident and will consider further actions in accordance with our bylaws, code of conduct, and California state law."