A post on the popular Korean community site Pann Nate has stirred up a storm of controversy as it has drawn attention to the persistent issue of colorism in the K-Pop industry. TWS‘s Dohoon is sadly at the center of this debate, as the rookie HYBE idol is the most recent target of colorist comments.
| Pledis Entertainment
The post, which now has more than 70,000 views and is trending at #4 on the site, included two pictures of TWS focused on Dohoon. The original poster mentions the idol’s skin tone, even saying, “I think skin tone does play a huge factor. Once I realized how dark-toned he was, I stopped thinking he was all that good-looking.”
The pictures included in OP’s Pann post. | Pann Nate The pictures included in OP’s Pann post. | Pann Nate
What’s even more disheartening to global K-Pop fans is the fact that other Korean netizens chimed in with derogatory comments, reinforcing the negative stereotype.
Comments such as “Looks like he’d be good at selling mangos in the Philippines,” and “So… This is what some of y’all were trying to pitch against [RIIZE’s] Wonbin?” have left many fans appalled and disheartened. The sentiment expressed in comments like “Is he not Korean…?” only added to the growing outrage.
| Pann Nate
International netizens have not remained silent in the face of this colorism. Social media platforms have exploded with a wave of support for Dohoon and condemnation of the offensive comments. On Twitter (now known as X), fans have united to make their voices heard.
i need you all to appreciate dohoon’s natural beauty and unwhitewashed skin more cause look at this handsome boy pic.twitter.com/jRBX0TwVoH
— ✮ (@proddohoon) February 4, 2024
them implying that he’s no longer handsome because his skin is “too dark” oh koreans are never beating the colorist allegations https://t.co/gINNuWYpCB
— ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ (@kyoongfairy) February 4, 2024
Knets stop being colorist challenge level impossible https://t.co/WOM7yJXKjl
— Grace I Seeing Itzy (@GracefulHyuka) February 3, 2024
Many have expressed their disappointment, with some calling the comments outright “disgusting.” Others have chosen to condemn those responsible for leaving such comments under pictures of a young idol like Dohoon, saying they should “all rot in hell.”
this is straight up racist, may all those knets rot in hell https://t.co/B3whTa1SdF
— ؘthai (@luvshinyu) February 4, 2024
The incident involving Dohoon sheds light on an ongoing issue within the K-Pop industry and Korean society. Colorism, the prejudice or discrimination based on skin color, remains a deeply ingrained problem. While international fans continue to demand change, it is essential for both the industry and society at large to address this issue head-on and work towards a more inclusive and accepting future.
240204 #투어스 #TWS #도훈 #DOHOON pic.twitter.com/j7tN61pYK3
— blue dive (@bluedive_tws) February 4, 2024
Dohoon’s talent and potential should be celebrated, not overshadowed by colorist comments on his skin tone. As fans rally around him and raise their voices against these offensive comments, the hope is that such incidents will serve as a catalyst for positive change within the K-Pop community and beyond.
