TREASURE‘s Hyunsuk has come under fire from fans after being accused of cultural appropriation.
TREASURE’s Hyunsuk | YG Entertainment
On November 28, the first day of the 2023 MAMA Awards took place, honoring many groups for their performances throughout the year. Before the show began, fans anticipated seeing their favorite artists in great red-carpet looks, including YG Entertainment boy group TREASURE.
| YG Entertainment
Unfortunately, some fans had mixed feelings after seeing Hyunsuk’s newest hairstyle. While on the red carpet, Hyunsuk wore a beanie over most of his hairstyle but left two braids resembling box braids exposed.
Later on, during the show, fans were able to get a full look at his hairstyle, which featured his hair braided down the back of his head. Some fans compared Hyunsuk’s hairstyle to a two-braid cornrow look, a style common among black people.
While some fans did not view this mix of styles as offensive, comparing them to regular styles worn by many cultures…
atp it’s not hyunsuk who needs to be educated, it’s those people who thinks that every braid is CA. you can clearly see that it is a normal braid that people do everyday https://t.co/7iI7oTpdnX
— kai. baliw kay kanemoto (@kyutienori) November 28, 2023
have y’ll never use or tie braids? It’s just three strand braid and it so normal for asian.. stop making big fuss dudeeee #hyunsuk pic.twitter.com/CvrIut7tOy
— Ivy 아이비 (doyoung photobooth event) (@dobbygongju) November 28, 2023
…others have shared that they consider the look to be cultural appropriation.
Let me break something down to yall. This guy whateva his name is hyunsuk (?)clearly was tryna do two CORNROWS. his hair is too short AND not coarse enough for the added hair to catch so they had to give him two front BOX BRAIDS dpmo about Viking braids ok? pic.twitter.com/yFiAsWG4Zz
— .des. WOO DAY (@desjoong) November 28, 2023
can hyunsuk stop doing this hair.. this is blatantly cultural appropriation.. his personality is actually likeable but he need to get over this hair istg https://t.co/tdC0DMDPOy
— ؘ (@pikebint) November 28, 2023
This is what you call a disgrace to the black community. This is not being hip, hood, or swagger. This is called cultural appropriation and it isn’t the first time hyunsuk has done this. Treasure fans need to hold him accountable. Not other fandoms. pic.twitter.com/C9k2BypZ9S
— Dul (@DulcisBli) November 28, 2023
Many were especially disappointed because a fan spoke to Hyunsuk about his dreadlocks during the “MMM” era, and he previously was under fire for a separate instance of appropriation in August 2023.
TREASURE’s Hyunsuk Comes Under Fire For Cultural Appropriation In A Recent Social Media Video
Fans’ efforts to educate YG Entertainment and those associated with the group about cultural appropriation can be traced back to 2020, making many feel their concerns are not being heard.
thank you so much! we would also like to bring awareness to hyunsuk’s hairstyle. dreadlocks are considered to be cultural appropriation and many fans have emailed yg entertainment about this. we‘d like to ask the stylists and staff to educate themselves about other cultures pic.twitter.com/grvNaccCs3
— your softie⁷ loves treasure (@mashissoftie) November 8, 2020
teumes who are good at korean please spam on wvrs fanletters and regular posts to inform hyunsuk and the other members abt this issue. it’s getting worse day by day and we cant just defend him over this issue. he needs to get educated and stop doing the same thing again in future
— queずめ (@kyutieque) November 28, 2023
If you wanna complain about hyunsuk hair please DM to their hair-stylish.. their ig@ is attached 🫣 pic.twitter.com/uM50AeP1Fu
— Ivy 아이비 (doyoung photobooth event) (@dobbygongju) November 28, 2023
Ultimately, fans just want their idols to be educated on other cultures to prevent such moments from happening again.
Another YG group recently was criticized for cultural appropriation with their debut video, which you can read about below.
BABYMONSTER Come Under Fire For Cultural Appropriation In Their “BATTER UP” Music Video — Twice
