Controversy Over Celebrity Casting for 'Myeongnyang Battle Festival' Japanese Host Concept

Controversial Date Promotional Post Deleted
Cast Change Announcement Pending

There is controversy over the hiring of a comedian who portrayed a Japanese host bar player as a concept for the 'Myeongnyang Battle Festival,' which commemorates Admiral Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin's decisive victory over the Japanese navy that saved Joseon. Following the controversy over pro-Japanese sentiments, the organizers removed the individual from the list of performers.

Capture of the Myeongnyang Victory Festival Instagram account

On the 20th, the '2023 Myeongnyang Battle Festival' website and SNS posted promotional content stating that this year's special guest, Tanaka Yukio (comedian Kim Kyung-wook), would perform a congratulatory show.

The organizers announced the performance with a photo of Tanaka Yukio, saying, "We invite you to Tanaka-san's spectacular performance on September 8th at 9 PM at Haenam Usuyeong Tourist Site and Myeongnyang Stage!"

They also wrote the post in Japanese-accented Korean, saying, "Myeongnyang! Be ready to enjoy the congratulatory show together," and added the hashtag #moemoekkun.

In response, the SNS account received critical comments such as "Admiral Yi Sun-sin would rise up angrily" and "I don't know if this is noise marketing, but it shows no consideration."

However, some argue that since Tanaka's character is portrayed as being scared and running away after seeing Admiral Yi Sun-sin's statue, the festival could be humorously presented.

After the controversy, the post was deleted. The organizers?Jeonnam Province, Haenam County, Jindo County, and the Myeongnyang Battle Memorial Project Association?have not issued any further announcements or explanations.

Tanaka is a character played by comedian Kim Kyung-wook, set as a Japanese host bar player. The main content includes jokes such as the host bar player inheriting the family business from his father and making obscene jokes based on language differences, like mispronouncing the Korean word for 'pollen' (꽃가루) as 'kkochugaru' (꼬츠가루) with a Japanese accent.

The Myeongnyang Battle Festival is a patriotic historical and cultural festival commemorating the brilliant victory in world naval history when the Joseon navy and Jeolla Province residents defeated the Japanese navy in 1597. It will be held for three days from September 8 to 10 at the Usuyeong Tourist Site in Haenam County and the green tourism area in Jindo County, located at Uldolmok.

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