Former Wonder Girls member Sunye, Super Junior's Choi Siwon, and actress Jin Seo-yeon are among several South Korean celebrities facing controversy for publicly mourning the late conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk. Their actions have sparked a debate among the public, with some criticizing them as "career-ending foolishness" while others argue, "Can't we mourn the dead?"
On October 16, Sunye posted a photo of Charlie Kirk on her Instagram, quoting 1 John 4:9-10. She wrote, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him," and "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." The post was deleted shortly after.
The public reaction in South Korea was mixed, with some criticizing Sunye, saying, "Didn't Choi Siwon learn from his explanation? Should we laugh at her persistence?" and "Does she think it's okay to be criticized?" Others defended her, stating, "Regardless of political views, a person lost their life to a terrorist act. Should we not mourn because of differing opinions?"
Previously, Super Junior's Choi Siwon also faced backlash for his tribute to Charlie Kirk. On October 11, he posted an image with the words 'REST IN PEACE' and included the song 'Rescue' by American CCM artist Lauren Daigle. He later deleted the post following criticism.
The next day, Choi Siwon addressed the issue on the fan platform Bubble, explaining, "There has been a lot of talk about my tribute to Charlie Kirk." He stated, "He was a Christian, a family man, and a husband. Regardless of the circumstances, losing his life to a shooting while speaking to students is a heartbreaking tragedy beyond political views."
Choi Siwon added, "I appreciate the media attention, but it seems my intentions were misunderstood. I decided to take down the post, believing my feelings were conveyed. However, due to continued interest, I am explaining further."
Actress Jin Seo-yeon also publicly mourned Charlie Kirk on October 14, posting his photo with the message, "Rest in peace."
Charlie Kirk, a conservative political commentator, was shot and killed during a lecture at Utah Valley University on October 10. Known as a prominent far-right figure in the U.S., he faced criticism for stating that "some sacrifices must be made to uphold the Second Amendment," even amid ongoing mass shootings involving children.
Even in the relatively free-speaking Anglo-American world, celebrity mentions of Charlie Kirk have stirred controversy. British band Coldplay caused a fan divide during their October 12 concert at Wembley Stadium in London by saying, "Let's send love to Kirk's family." This sparked reactions similar to those in South Korea, with some criticizing them for "supporting a white supremacist and his family" while others argued, "Can't we even express condolences to the family?"