Director Bong Joon-ho is being attacked by his native Thai netizens for racist reasons against group Black Pink member Lisa.
Director Bong Joon-ho answered “Blackpink” when asked about his “favorite K-pop group” in an interview video of BuzzFeed Celebs, a YouTube channel released on the 3rd. He then said “Rose, Jisoo and Jenny” when asked about his “favorite member,” and then took a short break and said “everyone.”
BuzzFeed is a U.S.-based news site, and BuzzFeed Celebs usually present interview contents that they conducted. The number of subscribers to BuzzFeed Celebs’ YouTube channel exceeds 3.87 million. The interview was conducted to promote the movie Mickey 17. After the interview was released, some in Korea said they were surprised that director Bong Joon-ho, who was born in 1969, liked Black Pink and repeatedly mentioned the names of the members. However, Thai netizens strongly protested that Lisa was the one whose name was not mentioned.
Some of the comments were sharp, such as “Discrimination in Korean Society,” “Nationalist and disgusting,” and “The movie seemed to reflect diversity, but turned out to be a racist fool.” Even reactions that disparage Bong Joon-ho’s appearance are not difficult to find.
Not only Thailand but also other countries are protesting against the idea, saying, “Can’t you memorize the name Lisa?” Bong Joon-ho’s remarks were deemed “deliberate.”
Lisa is from Thailand and debuted as a member of Black Pink in Korea. Flack Pink members Rosé and Jennie have lived abroad, but Lisa is the only foreign member.
Since Black Pink’s exclusive contract with YG Entertainment expired, Lisa has been working as a solo artist. At the 97th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles on the 2nd, she also performed the main theme of the “007” series, Live and Let Die.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
