“Korean history, feels like a short story”
Ignorance is a sin... An apology that starts with an excuse
Ignorance is a sin... An apology that starts with an excuse
Group Enhypen Jay caused a 'controversy over a slip of the tongue'. Comparing Korean history to a ‘novel book’. The apology also started with an excuse. An incorrect view of history cannot be tolerated due to ‘ignorance’.
On the 11th, Jay posted a long apology on Enhyphen's official fan platform Weverse. Jay announced, "Regardless of the reason, I sincerely apologize for causing discomfort to Engine (Enhyphen's official fandom name). I spoke too carelessly based on my personal impression on an important topic called Korean history."
‘Whatever the reason,’ was the beginning of the apology. He spoke of a wrong view of history due to narrow-minded thinking. Being ignorant does not serve as a shield to prevent controversy. There is a possibility that this controversy may be interpreted as ‘unfair.’ The need to issue an apology does not have a positive impact on the situation.
Jay's 'Korean History Remarks' began during a live broadcast. Jay said, "(History) feels too much like a short story," and "Other countries really have no end, there's something going on, but Korea passes by all at once, but after the Three Kingdoms period, there's a little bit of that. I often get the feeling that it ended sooner than expected." “I did,” he said, conveying his thoughts.
Immediately after the live broadcast ended, claims were made that it was 'disparaging Korean history'. Korean history spans approximately 50,000 years, starting with Gojoseon. Comparing it to a ‘novel book’ has deep roots and history.
Jay's comment could be dismissed as a 'slip of the tongue'. He must have wanted to escape this controversy with the admission that he ‘didn’t know’ and the promise to ‘learn a lot.’ However, it seems difficult to cover up Jay's 'wrong view of history' with excuses.
Ignorance is not pride. If you make a mistake without knowing much, you are revealing your own abilities. There is also sympathy for Jay. Because Jay has dual American and Korean citizenship, he did not know much about Korean history. This argument also cannot protect Jay.
Although Jay has dual nationality, he spent all his elementary, middle, and high school years in Korea. I learned Korean culture for ten years and received a Korean-style education. There was ample time to create a correct view of history. This statement is not a mistake. It's just 'ignorance that you don't know even if you learn it'.
There is an idol senior who looked at independence activist Ahn Jung-geun and called him ‘Ginto-kang (Japanese pronunciation of Kim Doo-han).’ This is Shin Ji-min from AOA. Since then, Shin Ji-min has had to experience numerous insults and pain. Since it started from my own ignorance, I cannot blame anyone.
Ignorance is no excuse. The sin of ignorance is so heavy that it ends with a short apology that is insincere. Like Shin Ji-min's 'Ginto Gang', 'novel book' could be Jay's label. A statement made with an ‘incorrect view of history.’ It is time to bear the weight of that sin.
Reporter Junho Yoon, Ten Asia delo410@tenasia.co.kr