Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
New York real estate firm fires worker over racist tweet against BTS
A real estate agent's racist tweet against BTS cost him his job in New York City. Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Highline Residential, a New York City real estate agency, has fired an employee over his racist comments against K-pop group BTS.
After BTS appeared on the popular American TV show Saturday Night Live on Saturday (local time), real estate agent Brian Hughes attacked the singers on Twitter, saying they ― all in their early-to-mid 20s ― “look like kids.”
“Are Asian women even attracted to their own men?” he said.
His remarks sparked criticism from people in many Asian communities and the BTS fan club, known as the ARMY. Many fans complained about his tweets to Highline Residential.
The company then fired him and issued an apology.
“We want to apologize to everyone for the inappropriate tweet sent by Brian Hughes. His comment does not at all reflect Highline's values,” the company
.
“We are proud to represent a diverse workforce and clientele. Our relationship with Brian has been terminated.”