Star chef beloved by Mexicans makes racist gesture against Koreans

By Jung Min-ho

On the day Korea saved Mexico's World Cup chances, a star chef beloved by many Mexicans offended Koreans with a racist gesture on air.

As Korea wrapped up a stunning 2-0 upset over defending champion Germany, “Chef James,” the host of TV show Un Nuevo Dia on Telemundo, an American Spanish-speaking network, was celebrating the result because it helped Mexico advance to the knockout stage ― but his did so very inappropriately.

James, whose real name is James Tahhan, made a racist slant-eye gesture during the show as the rest of the panel shared a laugh to celebrate the moment.

Many Koreans, Americans and Mexicans found his behavior offensive and voiced anger.

“Why would he say 'Thank you Korea' while making such gesture? I feel like I was made fun of as a Korean,” one netizen said.

Many people have left comments on his Facebook and Instagram pages, urging him to make a public apology.

“Racism is a learned behavior. Children and adults around the world have seen your segment and will think that gestures like that are acceptable. How about you go on live TV tomorrow, squint your eyes and apologize? Make a verbal statement like a real man instead of hiding behind typed words that you hastily threw together because you were pressured to save your reputation,” a woman wrote on Facebook.

“Ignorant. Hopefully you suffer the consequences for your stupidity on air,” another person wrote.

This is, unfortunately, not the first time Koreans have been a target of the racist gesture during this World Cup in Russia.

Argentina's football legend Diego Maradona was also caught up in a racism controversy about two weeks ago when he made a racist gesture toward young Korean fans who were shouting and waving at him in joy.

ITV presenter Jacqui Oatley, who was at the Spartak Stadium with Maradona as part of the broadcaster's coverage of the game between Argentina and Iceland, claimed on Twitter that he “pulled his eyes to the side in a clearly racist gesture. All of us who saw it are stunned.”

But he later denied racism accusations, saying he was just showing his gratitude to the fans. Many Koreans remain unconvinced by his claims.