In Korea, there are strict beauty and visual expectations, and in particular, the discussion about weight and ideal size shocks Western netizens. Recently, a clip from the show 90 Day Fiancée sparked heated reactions when Korean Nick made a comment to his American fiancée, Devin.
Devin and Nick at their wedding | People
On X, a clip goes viral where Nick met Devin’s family and was asked about what South Koreans think of Americans.
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Nick was very honest when he explained that it was “Greasy food and being fat.”
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Unsurprisingly, her family didn’t seem impressed, but Nick tried to save himself by explaining that he didn’t think that, but it was what Koreans tended to believe.
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When the parents started explaining why it might be true due to food availability and costs, Nick made a controversial and mean comment about Devin, adding, “No wonder you’re piggy.”
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When the video was posted, some fans defended Nick’s words as he is Asian, and comments about weight are deemed “normal.”
dude why date into an asian family if you’re not prepared for how fuckin vicious they are (not that its ok) like you didn’t know what you were getting into…..??? https://t.co/EUu2S3GJ0w
— C:CHISEI (@balisonqs) April 10, 2024
ngl thats normal talk here like its kinda similar to asking how are you,,, my grandma been calling me chopsticks for so many years till i grew an ass and now she calls me pigsticks and its meant in an endearing way (its really funny ngl),, its just cultural difference https://t.co/ZYW0RUZWMi
— َ (@9unay) April 10, 2024
While some tried to let Nick off with the culture card, others hit back at how no matter where you’re from, it is rude to speak about someone’s weight so negatively, especially in front of their family.
STOP BLAMING EAST ASIAN CULTURE THIS ISNT NORMAL!!!!! pic.twitter.com/BZiFjM3T3t
— ˚₊‧꒰ა sophrosyne ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ (@dainticide) April 10, 2024
I don’t care where you come from you don’t say shit like that to people and making those hateful comments in front of her family was straight up vile https://t.co/JRYOZVs2SA pic.twitter.com/n1nolJ4eQL
— keke thee alien superstar 🪼 (@LOKISPACEGEMS) April 10, 2024
if someone told one of my parents “no wonder you’re a piggy” they’d be walking away with several less teeth than they had before! https://t.co/EMv3hMMg4J
— llo (@wonzls) April 10, 2024
Bruh i’m Korean and i’m speechless by all the english comments defending him that it’s Korean culture wtf..it is true that koreans do casually make comments on looks and are insensitive to it, but like you don’t have to embrace even the toxic side of the culture.. https://t.co/vUzPEe9Y3o
— 릴리 (@_17petrichor) April 10, 2024
The way my family would have literally stoned him to death. You are not gonna play in my fucking face. https://t.co/vKOKDpjZST
— مصير (@its_effing_me) April 10, 2024
Following the show, at the reunion, Nick addressed the comments, explaining that it was just a joke.
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The rest of the cast told him he wasn’t helping himself, so Nick apologized by adding that he knew why Americans might take it the wrong way, explaining he wouldn’t do it in “Public” anymore.
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If that wasn’t enough, when the reunion episode was released, it was shared that Devin had actually lost a lot of weight. While it wasn’t directly stated that it was due to the comments from Nick, netizens worried that his words had a lasting impact on her and was pressure to lose weight.
Although some fans tried to pass it off as cultural differences, many netizens claimed it was disrespectful in any culture, especially in front of her family and his future in-laws. While they are still together after getting married, hopefully, Nick has learned from his mistakes following the backlash.
