Zoe Yeung '23
Twice, a Korean pop girl group, fell into controversy after member Chaeyoung was caught wearing a shirt with a swastika. The shirt also showed the band 'The Sex Pistols’ Sid Vicious.
She was seen wearing this shirt at many events such as the Billboard award show as well as at a Jewish-owned restaurant. This had occurred after she wore a QAnon shirt at a promotional stage on the Korean television show “Show! Music Core.”
QAnon is a conspiracy theory surrounding America’s former President Donald Trump. QAnon believes that America is run by a higher level of devil worshippers and only Donald Trump can stop them. The shirt had a large Q in the colors of the American flag along with the slogan, “We Go All.” The stylist of Chaeyoung’s outfit claimed to not know the meaning behind the shirt and will be more aware in the future.
On March 21, Chaeyoung also put an apology out on her Instagram saying, “Hello, this is Chaeyoung from Twice. I sincerely apologize regarding the Instagram post. I didn’t correctly recognize the meaning of the tilted swastika in the t-shirt I wore.”
Many celebrities coming from Asia aren’t aware of the trouble they can cause with being uneducated. However, it doesn’t excuse them from wearing offensive clothing. Chaeyoung claims to have not known what the symbol meant and apologized, but we need to hold her accountable.
A fan who claims to be Jewish in the comments of the Instagram post said, “Guys. As a Jew, I believe she has apologized, the amount of hate you guys are giving is outrageous… instead of sending threats, just make her aware of her actions she had said she is sorry and deleted the post with it, and I don’t think she had any ill intention when she wore it to the Jewish restaurant. We love you Chaeyoungie.” [sic]
Many have burnt merchandise of her, sent her death threats, and told her she doesn’t deserve to be in Twice. Many have made excuses like, “She came from South Korea, they are all racist,” but this will only allow her and many others to do the same without any consequences.
South Korea isn’t isolated. They have the ability to be aware of major wars and events around the world. Hopefully Chaeyoung, along with the rest of Twice, will learn from this situation and won’t let it happen again.
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