Netizens' Malicious Comments Continue, Leading to Comment Section Closure
Frequent Criticism of Celebrities Revealing Political Views
Recently released documentary film 'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng' (The Founding War), which highlights the life and politics of former President Rhee Syngman, has been gaining attention, while singer Naul faced criticism from progressive netizens after posting a review on social networking service (SNS). On the 12th, Naul uploaded a photo of the movie poster for 'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng' and an old Bible that appeared to have been used by former President Rhee Syngman on his Instagram. Along with this, he wrote a Bible verse: "For Christ has set us free to be free, so stand firm and do not be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
The recently released documentary film "Geon-guk Jeonjaeng," which highlights the life and politics of former President Syngman Rhee, is gaining attention. Meanwhile, singer Naul posted a review on social networking service (SNS) after watching the film and was criticized by progressive-leaning netizens. [Photo by Asia Economy DB, Documentary Story Production]
'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng' is a documentary film that sheds light on the life and achievements of Rhee Syngman. Former President Rhee Syngman embraced Christian faith while attending Paichai Hakdang, which he entered at the age of twenty. The Christian network he built from his time at Paichai Hakdang later became a significant asset in diplomacy with the United States. Naul is also known as a devout Christian.
Subsequently, posts criticizing Naul appeared on opposition-leaning online communities. Around 9 p.m. that day, a post titled “Naul’s 2-jjik (conservative supporter) certification” was uploaded on Clien, receiving over 130 comments within 12 hours. Netizens left critical remarks such as “Respecting Rhee Syngman is not a matter of personal taste but intelligence. Goodbye,” “The church is really the problem,” and “This is what it means to lose all affection.”
Similar posts with titles like 'Naul’s Controversial Instagram,' 'Naul’s 2-jjik Certification,' and 'Naul Boldly Certifies Political Orientation?' were posted on other online communities. Similar comments continued on Naul’s Instagram as well. Most netizens responded with remarks like “Study Rhee Syngman again,” “I didn’t see it that way, but now I’ve lost all affection,” and “It’s absurd to defend Rhee Syngman.” Eventually, Naul disabled comments on his posts.
Political Circles Target Voter Sentiment by Promoting Former Presidents Ahead of General Election
There have been many instances where celebrities faced criticism after expressing political opinions. Actress Lee Young-ae, who donated 50 million won to the (Foundation) Rhee Syngman Presidential Memorial Foundation, was also heavily criticized by netizens. At that time, netizens reacted strongly to the news of Lee Young-ae’s donation in September last year, saying, “I knew it was that side, but the historical awareness is really unfortunate,” “Now we should send Geum-ja,” and “You never know what’s inside a person; the old saying is exactly right.”
During the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, broadcaster Park Myung-soo criticized the Moon Jae-in administration’s response by saying, “I don’t know if it makes sense to line up to buy masks,” which drew criticism from netizens. Also, popular 'mukbang' YouTuber Tzuyang posted a video eating seafood shortly after Japan began discharging contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant in September last year, receiving criticism such as “This is a serious situation; please have some sense.” Singer Kim Yoon-ah publicly criticized the Fukushima nuclear plant’s contaminated water discharge but later clarified, “It was not a political stance,” after facing backlash. Model-turned-actor Bae Jung-nam was also heavily criticized after posting a photo with the new book 'Tears of Dike' by former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk in September last year.
Recently, ahead of the April general election, a trend has been observed in political circles to target voter sentiment by promoting symbolic former presidents from both camps. The conservative camp, including the People Power Party, encouraged viewing of 'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng,' which highlights former President Rhee Syngman, while the progressive camp, including the Democratic Party of Korea, promoted the documentary film 'Gil Wi-e Kim Dae-jung' (Kim Dae-jung on the Road), commemorating the 100th anniversary of the late former President Kim Dae-jung’s birth. Han Dong-hoon, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, both publicly viewed the films.
Movie Posters of The Founding War and Kim Dae-jung on the Road [Photo by Docustory Production, Myung Films]
The day before, at a movie theater in Yeouido, Seoul, Chairman Han watched 'Geon-guk Jeonjaeng' with some associates and told reporters, “It is not that everything about him (former President Rhee) should be glorified, but there was a very important historical decision, and we need to thoroughly reconsider that decision.” He added, “It is because of the Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty that our country is so safe now, and because of land reform, the country changed from one of wealthy landlords to one of entrepreneurs.”
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