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By Kim Jong-chan
“Now is
the time to provide K-pop stars with education programs on racial prejudice,”
said top singer Tiger JK in a column contributed to “All K-pop,” an Internet
K-pop site for foreign fans.
As K-pop gains popularity across the world,
an increasing number of foreign fans are watching Korean entertainment programs.
There are also growing calls for K-pop idols to “be culturally
sensitive,” with industry sources expressing concern that thoughtless make-up,
comments and gestures could be insulting to certain people or
countries.
K-pop stars and other Koreans should listen to Tiger JK’s
advice, the sources said Wednesday.
On March 29, an article about Korean
singers demeaning colored people was posted on the English-language online
community titled “Oh No They Didn’t (ONTD).”
Also posted were
photographs of K-pop singers made up as colored people and imitating their
voices.
An entertainment industry source familiar with the U.S. market
said, “The U.S. is one of the most culturally tolerant societies in the world.
But when it comes to racial matters, Americans are also very sensitive.”
Meanwhile, a poll showed the popularity of Korean popular culture in
Asia and other parts of the world is beneficial to businesses seeking to expand
overseas.
The survey on 300 companies conducted by the Korea Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (KCCI) showed 51.9 percent of respondents saying “hallyu”
contributed to greater sales abroad, according to Yonhap News Agency Wednesday.
Hallyu, or “The Korean Wave,” refers to the popularity of TV shows and music
that have secured hordes of fans in Asia, Europe and the American
continent.
The country's largest private economic organization with
135,000 members said the Korean wave has exerted the greatest effect on the
cultural content field, tourism and retail.
The survey said 86.7 percent
of cultural content businesses had better sales, with numbers reaching 85.7
percent and 75 percent for tourism and retail, respectively.
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