Korean Celebrities Criticized for Disrespectful Comments Towards International Stars

"Stay still for a moment." "Alright, now get up."

These are the words spoken by Korean celebrities to international stars, contrasting with the respectful titles often used for local celebrities. This behavior has sparked criticism, with some suggesting that public figures should recognize the difference between their social media presence and that of ordinary individuals.

Actor Ryu Jun-yeol recently made a casual remark to a former football player who was well-known during his active years. On October 14, Ryu attended the '2025 Icon Match: Return of Creativity, Beginning of Counterattack' event at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The event featured legendary football players from the 2000s to the late 2010s.

Among them was Wayne Rooney, a former England national team player and Manchester United's all-time top scorer. Rooney played for the 'FC Spear' team in black uniforms against 'Shield United.'

Although Rooney, who is now retired, appeared with a slightly heavier physique, he made a significant impact by scoring the first goal in the 27th minute of the second half, breaking the 0-0 deadlock. The issue arose when Rooney briefly sat on the field to catch his breath, and Ryu captured the moment on camera, posting it on his social media with the caption, "Alright, now get up."

Wayne Rooney, born in 1985, is 39 years old, making him a year older than Ryu Jun-yeol, who was born in 1986. Rooney is a well-known and influential figure, having retired in 2021 and served as a manager until 2024.

Some netizens expressed discomfort with Ryu's behavior, questioning, "Is Wayne Rooney your friend?" and criticizing the lack of respect shown to someone who came to entertain an audience of 64,885 people in Korea.

This is not the first time Korean celebrities have made inappropriate remarks towards international stars. In December last year, comedian Kwon Hyuk-soo attended Dua Lipa's concert at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. During the performance, he made light-hearted comments like "Mapo Tofu" and "Ratatouille" while filming Dua Lipa and posted them on his social media.

Kwon further shocked fans by jokingly telling Dua Lipa, "Stay still, I'll take a picture," while she was performing for her fans. The incident did not gain much attention, and Kwon did not issue an apology.

A representative from the entertainment industry emphasized the need for respect towards international stars, stating, "Even if you are familiar with their names, it is basic courtesy to be cautious with your words."

They added, "Public figures should recognize that they are different from ordinary people. Once words spoken off-camera are posted on social media, they are essentially broadcasted. Celebrities should carefully consider the impact of their words before posting on social media."

By Da-yeon Jeong, TenAsia Reporter light@tenasia.co.kr