Rich E.G. Apologizes for Controversy Regarding Late President Roh Moo-hyun

[TV Daily Reporter Choi Hana] Rapper Rich E.G. (real name Lee Min-seo) has come under fire for mocking the late President Roh Moo-hyun in his lyrics. On May 19, he took to his social media to share a handwritten apology, expressing regret over public backlash. He visited the Roh Moo-hyun Citizen Center to sincerely apologize.

In his apology letter, he acknowledged his wrongdoing, stating, "I sincerely apologize to everyone I have hurt with my words and actions. I admit that I've demeaned and mocked the late President simply to gain fame.” This incident has escalated as he planned a concert close to the 17th anniversary of Roh's passing, which caused widespread controversy and ultimately led to the cancellation of the event.

Born in 2012, Rich E.G. gained attention as a new artist, yet faced significant backlash for lyrics that seemingly mocked the late President's death. As criticism mounted, the event organizers declared they would avoid hate speech, and the production company confirmed the cancellation of all scheduled activities.

The controversy surrounding Rich E.G. reflects a larger issue within the music industry regarding social responsibility. It highlights how artistic expression can sometimes intersect with public sentiment and historical significance, challenging artists to be more cognizant of their words and actions. The backlash also underscores the need for artists to engage meaningfully with societal contexts.

This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.

Photo: Rich E.G. SNS