He used a troublesome term while sharing childhood photos yesterday.
Eunsuk pledged to act more cautiously in the future.
[TV Daily, Kim Ji-hyun] Eunsuk from the group RIIZE has issued an official apology for using inappropriate language during fan interactions. On May 6, he communicated through the fan platform ‘Bubble,’ stating, “I made a wrong expression while sharing childhood photos yesterday,” and expressed regret for causing discomfort to fans with “short thinking.” On Children’s Day, he shared several childhood photos, one of which included the phrase “Little Eunsuk,” criticized for being potentially interpreted as racially insensitive. Eunsuk acknowledged the mistake and deleted the comment immediately, but felt heavy-hearted thinking about the fans who might have been hurt. He pledged to act with greater caution in the future. RIIZE is set to make a comeback with their mini album on the 15th, after about seven months.
Eunsuk's recent statement highlights not just a personal gaffe but also brings to light the cultural sensitivities within the K-POP fandom. The choice of language during fan interactions is crucial, where even a minor slip can lead to significant repercussions. Given that K-POP artists have a global fanbase, they are in a position where they must be increasingly careful with their word choices.
This apology reflects Eunsuk's desire to maintain a good relationship with his fans. His public acknowledgment of the mistake can be seen as an effort to deepen communication with fans, positively influencing RIIZE's upcoming activities, which are already under media scrutiny. At a time when the importance of clear communication is emphasized, this apology may serve as an opportunity for improvement in fan relationships.
Meanwhile, with RIIZE set to release their mini album on the 15th, the situation raises the question of how this incident might affect the album's success. There's a strong likelihood that fans will understand and positively receive Eunsuk’s apology, fostering a supportive atmosphere as the group prepares for their return.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
