Cultural Critic Kim Gap-soo Evaluates Na Hoon-a's Recent Remarks
Criticism of the Opposition Over "Left Side" Comment at Retirement Concert
"The Most Despicable Thing... People in Their 70s and 80s Do Not Change"
Singer Na Hoon-a targeted both ruling and opposition parties regarding the recent political situation during his retirement concert, prompting cultural critic Kim Gap-soo to strongly criticize him as "despicable."
On the 13th, a video titled "Angry Kim Gap-soo: 'Na Hoon-a is a cunning old man'" was uploaded to the YouTube channel ‘Maebul Show.’ On that day, host Choi Wook said, “Na Hoon-a spoke about the insurrection situation at his retirement concert. But because the situation is so serious right now, it has become controversial,” and asked, “Right now, we are suppressing an insurrection, so why are there stories about one side being red and the other side blue?”
In response, Kim Gap-soo said, “It’s the most despicable thing. Rather than a neutral stance, he is actually taking one side but tries to avoid taking a clear position when it’s inconvenient,” adding, “Na Hoon-a is 78 years old. So we have to listen to him as a famous person and as the voice of a 78-year-old man. We should observe this from the perspective of ‘Why do people of that generation behave like this?’” He continued, “The Taegeukgi rally elderly, and even those who don’t attend rallies but are typical elderly people in their 70s and 80s living in Korea, have this general sentiment.”
He analyzed, “These people know from experience that if martial law is declared, the democratic system disappears and individual rights and freedoms vanish. However, their biggest perception is ‘Does liberal democracy put food on the table?’” and “For them, the modern society operating under a democratic system is very cumbersome, uncomfortable, and considered a luxury.”
He added, “One more thing to add is that they believe ‘Joseon people must be strongly beaten to obey, and only then did the country develop.’ These people think that Korea’s success from being one of the poorest countries to an advanced nation was due to strong dictators who forcefully suppressed the Joseon people,” and insisted, “This perception does not change.”
When host Choi Wook asked, “Isn’t that basically a slave mentality?” Kim Gap-soo replied, “It is the most slavish mentality, and there is a deep-rooted gene behind it.” He explained, “Looking back at the Joseon Dynasty, officials regarded China as the parent country, and when Japan grew powerful and invaded, they cheered ‘Long live,’ and now that the U.S. is dominant, they go to rallies waving the American flag. There are people who continue to inherit this gene.”
He said, “The younger generation in Korea, up to those in their 40s and 50s, have experienced the benefits of democracy and have realized that normal Western democracy is reasonable,” but added, “Those in their 70s and 80s do not change. The opposing forces used to be called ‘red commies’ in the past, but since ‘red commie’ doesn’t work well in reality, they resort to all sorts of unreasonable arguments. Na Hoon-a is muddying the waters by bringing up a different point about the Gyeongsang-do and Jeolla-do one-party dictatorship.”
On the 10th, Na Hoon-a commented on the political situation, saying, “The left is making a fuss saying the right is wrong,” then pointed to his left arm and asked, “Did you do well?” In response to criticism from opposition figures, on the 12th he further criticized, “Whether you are a member of the National Assembly or a governor, listen carefully. In this already divided country, during elections, one side is red and the other side is blue. They are doing this crazy thing again.”
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