Ghanaian TV personality Sam Okyere says racism controversy was painfully difficult

Ghanaian television personality Sam Okyere addresses past racism controversies during a recent YouTube appearance. Captured from his social media

Ghanaian television personality Sam Okyere was on a successful streak before being embroiled in a racism controversy that led to him suspending his entertainment career. Now, he is opening up to share his life after the controversy.

"I suffered a lot. I suffered more than I thought I would and endured better than I thought I could," Okyere said during a recent YouTube appearance alongside former South Korean lawmaker Jasmine Lee.

"I did not get through it alone. Thankfully, there were many people who cared about me, and with their comfort and support I was able to pull through."

In 2020, Okyere publicly criticized a photo of South Korean high school students recreating the "dancing coffin" meme, a viral internet trend featuring Ghanaian pallbearers that spread worldwide across social media and short-form video platforms.

"It is very offensive to Black people," he wrote on social media. "This has to stop in Korea."

He faced backlash from online users who argued the students had no intention of creating a racist parody. Okyere later issued an apology, saying he was not trying to attack the students and expressing regret for posting their faces without permission.

However, after past social media comments that were viewed as sexually inappropriate came to light, Okyere stepped away from television work.

He described the period as painfully difficult to put into words.

"There were many moments when I wanted to give up," he said. "But I told myself that if there is one thing you should never give up, it is life itself. I relied on the unrelenting spirit I learned from 'Real Men.'"

For Okyere, returning to Ghana was not an option. Having spent most of his adult life in Korea since arriving at 19, he said the country is now home.

"If I am told to leave home and go somewhere else, I do not know where I would go," he said.

He added that the experience led him to realize how deeply he cares about the country.

"I love Korea, and I think like a Korean," Okyere said. "It is true that I was hurt by people, but if my words or actions hurt others, I feel deeply sorry."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.