ENHYPEN’s Ni-ki is currently under fire for his comment about South Korea’s Liberation Day. Also known as the March 1st Independence Movement Day, it is a historically important day in South Korea. On January 29, 2024, Ni-ki originally uploaded an encouraging message for fans. As it was a Friday the next day, he told fans to hang in there a little longer. A fan later alerted him to the fact that it was a public holiday for Independence Movement Day and that they could rest. He then replied with “I’m jealous,” which led to the controversy.
South Koreans have not taken to this positively. The movement was one that called for liberation from Imperial Japan and to stop the forced assimilation into Japanese culture. Many feel that he should have studied basic Korean history or knowledge as an idol based in South Korea.
Netizen comments. | theqoo Let’s get this on public broadcast news! For real, this will go down as a legendary scandal. ???? Hahahaha ???? It’s my country over fangirling for me. Does he not know what kind of day March 1st is? Although if you consider ignorance a crime in itself, then this is, but he doesn’t seem to have malicious intent. If you have the energy to beat up celebs, you should use it on those politicians who are extremely supportive of Japanese relations. Netizen comments. | theqoo If the company wants to make foreign idols promote in Korea, they should teach them basic Korean history. I’m talking about Japanese idols especially. This group is amazing… From the short novel comment to “I’m jealous.” An artistic combination of Japanese who anger me, and fans who are senselessly shielding them. He was f*cking thoughtless. If you don’t know, d*mn learn it. Wow…
Koreans are highly sensitive about matters that concern the Japanese occupation and war. This can be seen by other idols who have come under fire for accidentally using the Rising Sun flag and more. Things were exacerbated also in part due to Ni-ki’s Japanese heritage.
This is not the first time that ENHYPEN has experienced such controversy. Previously, Jay also came under fire for calling Korean history “like a short novel.” Read more about it below.
ENHYPEN’s Jay Apologizes For Making Inflammatory Remarks Aimed At Korea’s History
