Stray Kids' Bang Chan apologizes for comments about other K-pop idols

By Woo Da-bin

Stray Kids leader Bang Chan apologized for his recent comments that appeared to be about the behavior and attitude of young K-pop stars.

He expressed his regret through a lengthy post on social media uploaded on Wednesday.

The controversy began during Bang Chan's YouTube livestream on Sunday, when he remarked, “It seems like people don't even have the common courtesy to just say hello anymore.” He added, “Wouldn't you feel embarrassed when people ignore you even after you say hello to them first? Is this the kind of behavior that's acceptable for the current generation?”

Bang Chan's comments sparked immediate controversy. Speculation was rife among global fans about the identity of the stars that Bang Chan was referring to, leading to many unfounded rumors being circulated online. For his part, Bang Chan did not specifically name any individuals or groups in his comments and his subsequent apology.

In his apology, Bang Chan stated “I've thought about the impact that my actions and comments have had and I deeply regret them. I didn't intend to single anyone out, and I want to clarify that what I said has nothing to do with the artists whose names are being raised in speculation.” He added, “I sincerely apologize to the artists who have been affected by my careless remarks. I will always be mindful to make sure something like this doesn't happen again in the future.”

Woo Da-bin (ekqls0642@hankookilbo.com) is a reporter at The Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times. This article, previously published in The Hankook Ilbo, has been translated as part of a news-sharing program.