Female Candidates from the Democratic Party's Deep Bow Sparks Debate
Netizens Argue... "Shows Sincerity" vs "Bizarre"
Ahead of the general election, there has been a heated debate among netizens over the scene where female candidates from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) appeared on opposition-leaning broadcaster Kim Eo-jun's YouTube show and performed a deep bow. While some responded that "sincerity is visible," others described it as "bizarre." DPK candidates Lee Eon-ju (Gyeonggi Yongin Jeong), Ahn Gwi-ryeong (Seoul Dobong Gap), and Jeon Hyun-hee (Seoul Jung·Seongdong Gap) appeared on the YouTube channel ‘Ddanji Broadcasting Station’ in the segment ‘Kim Eo-jun’s Das Bweida’ on the 15th of last month.
In the video, when Kim asked the candidates, "Attention, please give a salute," Ahn Gwi-ryeong expressed that she was "desperate" and said she could even perform a bow. Kim then laughed heartily, saying, "No, even a bow. You are already a candidate," and shouted, "Attention, bow." Lee Eon-ju and Ahn Gwi-ryeong then knelt down and performed a deep bow. Jeon Hyun-hee initially only bent at the waist but, seeing the other two candidates, followed suit and bowed deeply. Kim and the audience laughed and cheered.
As Ahn Gwi-ryeong was about to stand up after the bow, she saw Jeon Hyun-hee starting to bow late and bowed again, followed by Lee Eon-ju who also bowed once more. When the three candidates engaged in this ‘deep bow relay,’ Kim said, "Stop now. Please go inside now. Please," bringing it to an end.
As this scene was revisited on online communities, various reactions emerged among netizens. Supporters of the DPK expressed encouragement, saying, "Sincerity can be felt," but criticisms also arose such as, "Even though it’s entertainment, it’s bizarre to see Kim Eo-jun saying ‘attention, bow’ and the candidates bowing," and "Candidates for the National Assembly who represent the people bowing one after another in front of a YouTuber."
Meanwhile, candidates from the DPK and other opposition parties have been appearing consecutively on Kim’s YouTube show. On the 29th of last month, Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, said on this segment, in response to Kim’s remark "The time of Cho Kuk has come," that "It feels like the politician Cho Kuk, who was dormant inside me, has awakened as I connect with the citizens."
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