Recently, there has been an increase in celebrities publicly sharing their everyday inconveniences on social media, from restaurant experiences to gym facilities and airline services. This has sparked a debate among netizens, with some expressing empathy and others dismissing these as trivial complaints.
On the 24th of last month, actress Nam Bo-ra posted on her Instagram, "Kimchi stew with kimchi side dish. There's nothing to eat but kimchi. Why not give seaweed instead of onions?" She criticized the restaurant's lackluster side dishes, expressing her dissatisfaction with her lunch choice. The following day, she voiced her frustration over a sudden major update on KakaoTalk, asking, "Does anyone know how to cancel this?" Singer Lee Young-ji also shared similar grievances on the fan communication platform Bubble.
On the same day, actor Jin Tae-hyun shared his experience of being asked to put on a shirt while running shirtless, suggesting that lawmakers should consider legislating on such matters. Actress Wang Bit-na in July and broadcaster Lee Ji-hye on the 1st of this month both expressed dissatisfaction with airline lounge food and in-flight amenities. These incidents have fueled ongoing debates among netizens.
One netizen commented, "When public figures like celebrities highlight the inconveniences faced by the public, it can lead to improvements in the same issues and contribute to changing the overall societal atmosphere."
There are real-life examples. After the deaths of Sulli and Goo Hara, many celebrities publicly called for restraint in posting malicious comments. Consequently, major portals like Naver and Daum disabled comment sections on their entertainment news.
Industry insiders believe that "public figures' complaints can prompt companies to be more cautious with their services, leading to positive changes. It can also humanize celebrities, making them more relatable to the public."
Some industry experts caution that "what might be overlooked if done by an ordinary person can appear as abuse of power when celebrities publicly criticize, potentially leading to a perception of entitlement and distancing them from the public."
During the 2012 'T-ara Bullying Scandal,' some members left cryptic messages on Twitter amid rumors of discord with member Hwayoung. Fans and the public interpreted these as hints of bullying, leading to a rapid decline in the group's image.
One netizen noted, "If a celebrity's complaints on social media persist, they might be perceived as tiresome by the general public."
An expert stated, "While awareness of celebrities' rights and freedom of expression has increased, their complaints don't necessarily lead to a decline in popularity. However, even the same content can garner sympathy if expressed politely and thoughtfully, whereas emotional and aggressive expressions can negatively impact their image."
Reporter Da-yeon Jeong, TenAsia light@tenasia.co.kr