"Even Skin Color? ... Very Offensive from a Black Perspective" Sam Okyere Criticizes Uijeongbu High's 'Gwanjjak Sonyeondan' Parody

Broadcaster Sam Okyere from Ghana. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Ghanaian-born broadcaster Sam Okyere expressed discomfort over the blackface concept graduation photos of students at Uijeongbu High School.

On the 6th, Sam Okyere posted on his Instagram, "It is truly unfortunate and sad to see something like this in 2020. It is not funny. From our perspective as Black people, it is a very offensive act," adding, "Please stop doing this."

He continued, "I understand following a culture, but is it really necessary to paint your face?" and said, "I hope such actions do not happen in Korea. Respecting each other's cultures is the best."

The photo released along with the post showed Uijeongbu High School students parodying the 'Coffin Dance' that went viral on YouTube. The 'Coffin Dance' is a parody of pallbearers dancing while carrying a coffin at a funeral in Ghana.

The video attracted global attention for its unique scene of dancing at a funeral, and in Korea, it was nicknamed 'Gwanjjag Sonyeondan' (Coffin Boys) after the popular group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan).

Ghanaian broadcaster Sam Okyere criticized the blackface graduation photos of Uijeongbu High School students on his Instagram on the 6th. Photo by Sam Okyere, Instagram post capture

The issue lies in the fact that the students parodying the 'Coffin Dance' also replicated the Black skin color. Some pointed out that regardless of the parody's intent, the act of 'blackface' itself is problematic and constitutes racial discrimination.

'Blackface' is a stage makeup where non-Black people paint their faces black or exaggerate lips to imitate Black people. It was popular in 19th-century Britain and the United States but has been criticized and tabooed as a racist act since the 1960s American civil rights movement.

Meanwhile, Uijeongbu High School has attracted attention every year with its creative graduation photos. In the 2020 graduation photos, students perfectly recreated figures such as director Bong Joon-ho and the group Ssaksseuri, bringing laughter.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.