Yang Donggeun Responds to Backlash Over Attending Pastor's Event Supporting Yoon Martial Law: "Curse Me All You Want"

Expresses Displeasure on SNS Over "Bantan" Allegations

Actor and singer Yang Donggeun stated on his social networking service (SNS), "Be as disappointed as you want and curse as much as you want." This appears to be an expression of his displeasure after he became embroiled in controversy and faced accusations of being "anti-impeachment" for attending an event organized by a pastor who defended former President Yoon Sukyeol's 12·3 Martial Law Declaration.

A post uploaded by Yang Donggeun. Singer and actor Yang Donggeun Instagram

On August 2, Yang Donggeun posted on his Instagram, "I'm the fool for believing in you. Go ahead, be as disappointed as you want and curse as much as you want. You have the freedom to do so. But it's a bit much for me to go as far as suicide, isn't it?" along with a photo.

The accompanying photo showed the words "fool" and an obscene hand gesture drawn on his face.

He also shared an animated video on his Instagram story containing the line, "Let anyone among you who has never sinned throw the first stone," and posted a video of himself performing at a Christian event on July 30, saying, "I'm a Jesus freak. I don't care if people point fingers at me. I don't care. That's my (identity)."

The controversy began when Yang Donggeun uploaded a video to his social media the previous day, saying, "It was a truly blessed time," showing himself attending a youth and young adult summer camp held at Saegero Church in Busan from July 28 to 31.

As a Christian, Yang Donggeun participated in the camp as a member of the CCM performance group K-Spirit, leaving messages such as "Wash it whiter than snow" and "Just watching is a blessing" along with performance videos.

However, controversy over political affiliations arose when it became known that the event was organized by Pastor Son Hyunbo of Saegero Church in Busan, who has led the "Save Korea" rallies opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol. Some netizens labeled Yang Donggeun as supporting martial law simply for attending the event and criticized him with comments like "I'm disappointed" and "Why are you choosing the path to ruin yourself?"

In response, Yang Donggeun's agency explained the previous day that "there was no political intent." They clarified that he attended the event as an invited guest at a Christian gathering and has no personal relationship with the pastor in question. Yang Donggeun is known to be a devout Christian.