"Lee Hyori, Lee Young-ae, and Kim Yuna Also Scolded"... Socialtainers Attacked on Either Side

Voices of Self-Reflection Emerge in Political Circles

"When I make political statements, I receive threatening calls from the company telling me to 'watch my mouth.'

This is a confession from singer Lee Hyori, who appeared on SBS variety show 'Healing Camp' in 2012. She expressed the hardships celebrities face when actively voicing social issues such as animal and environmental protection.

Lee Hyori Photo Shoot / Photo by Heren

Even though more than 10 years have passed and much has changed, attacks against celebrities who make socially engaged statements remain unchanged.

Actress Lee Young-ae, who donated 50 million won to the establishment of the Rhee Syngman Memorial Hall on the 12th, wrote, "Although the first President Rhee Syngman had faults, he firmly laid the foundation for today's free Republic of Korea to stand tall," and was then bombarded by the strong supporters of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, known as 'Gaeddal' (literally 'dog daughters').

Lee's staunch supporters mocked Lee Young-ae, calling her "lacking historical awareness" and "a woman like tritium rather than oxygen."

Singer sisters Noh Sa-yeon and Noh Sa-bong also had to explain their late father's actions after visiting the funeral hall of the late Yoon Ki-joong, honorary professor at Yonsei University and father of President Yoon Suk-yeol, on the 16th of last month.

Recently, model-turned-actor Bae Jung-nam faced intense criticism from netizens simply for posting a photo on his social media (SNS) showing he purchased the autobiography of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, titled 'Dike's Tears.'

In response, Bae Jung-nam said, "Even the Communist Party, oh really. I'll just watch."

The most recent issue was singer Kim Yoon-ah's remarks regarding Fukushima contaminated water, which even became a target of politicians' attacks.

Last month, when Japan began discharging Fukushima contaminated water, Kim wrote on social media, "RIP (Rest in Peace) Earth," adding, "On a day like today, I think about hell."

This post quickly became a hot topic online, and even representatives from the ruling party got involved. Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, criticized Kim, calling her a "senseless conceptual celebrity."

Singer Kim Yuna's side recently expressed their position after sharp criticism from the ruling party and other political circles continued following her critical remarks on the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima, Japan.
[Photo by Kim Yuna Instagram]

In response, Kim's agency, Interpark Entertainment, had to clarify the next day that her statement was merely an expression of concern and regret about environmental pollution and was not a political stance.

There are voices of self-reflection questioning whether politicians should point fingers just because celebrities speaking out on social issues feels unfamiliar.

On the 13th, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong wrote on Facebook regarding the criticism from leader Kim Ki-hyun and others, "Public figures are people who do public work," and pointed out, "It is crossing the line for politicians, who are public figures, to attack popular entertainers who are not public figures for expressing their political views."

The Democratic Party of Korea also raised their voices on the 14th, saying, "It is pathetic to see public officials with political power attacking a celebrity who added common sense to life," and "Senseless politicians should reflect."

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