Sung Si-kyung and Park So-dam's unyielding method of dealing with malicious comments

Singer Sung Si-kyung and actor Park So-dam's 'method of dealing with malicious comments' is attracting attention. Two people who bravely responded to blind criticism. It is a word that is close to ridicule and usually causes people to cringe. Those who expressed their thoughts with conviction won a decision from malicious commenters.

Seong Si-kyung conducted a live broadcast on his YouTube channel on the 30th. On this day, Sung Si-kyung expressed his will to ‘activize in Japan’.

Some people expressed discomfort with Seong Si-kyung’s explanation. Why do you like Japan so much? In response, Seong Si-kyung said, "Bad people speak badly," and added, "I always say this, but I think I've studied history much more than you, who swears like that. I'm Korean and I'm a person with correct thoughts."

This argument originated from the historical background of Korea and Japan. There was a past of 35 years of colonial rule. Uneasy feelings with Japan still remain today. Because of this, competition and strife continued throughout politics, society, and culture.

In particular, in 2019, a ‘Japan boycott’ broke out. It was a time when the entertainment industry was also paying attention to the public's perception of 'Japanese activities'. About three years have passed, and the boycott of Japan has relatively died down. Critical views on ‘Japanese activities’ will be nothing more than ‘scratches’.

It was merely an act aimed at insulting the celebrity himself, Sung Si-kyung, by touching the feelings of colonial rule. Sung Si-kyung calmly responded to comments that could be embarrassing. It was an excellent response from 23 years in the entertainment industry.

There are also people who 'publicly stuffed' malicious comments directed at them. It was a story related to Park So-dam’s fight against ‘thyroid papillary cancer’. The malicious commenter left a criticism that was close to ridicule, saying, “Just die.” The malicious commenter has been continuously pouring out abusive language toward Park So-dam since September 2020.

It was like picking at a painful wound. However, Park So-dam’s response was different. He said, "I will continue to be more active in the future. I wish you a happy new year. I want to live a long and healthy life."

Stories that cross the line are disparaging celebrities. There is a lack of a system to protect celebrities from malicious comments.

Directly responding to malicious comments carries a high risk factor. Sung Si-kyung and Park So-dam deserve applause for their response, but it is difficult for most celebrities to react in the same way. It is a time when interest in and industry in the Korean entertainment industry is growing. However, the chronic problem of ‘malicious comments’ has still not been resolved.

Reporter Junho Yoon, Ten Asia delo410@tenasia.co.kr