“The killing of Park Jaebeom” by Entertainment Journalism

SOURCE: DOGSULDOTCOM; TRANSLATION: Judy@JAYPARK.NET

YOU MAY ONLY TAKE OUT WITH CREDITS.

The following writer is a well-known influential journalist in Korea. While many Jay Walkers were Twitter trending “CountOnMeJay” in celebration of Jay Park’s first EP release very early in the morning on the 13th, he wrote the following series of messages through his Twitter account @dogsul and later reposted them on his blog.

“CountOnMeJay”

This is what Park Jaebeom’s fans all around the world shouted out to the world last night (July 13th).

They placed this phrase on the “Trending Topic” list by including it in their tweets.

After observing their fervent support to revive Park Jaebeom, I have given another thought on the killing of celebrities by the media.

[1] This is my opinion on Park Jaebeom’s comeback. First of all, the issue surrounding Park Jaebeom is different from that of Yoo Seungjoon. It is not something we should react to with vague hostility against second generation Korean Americans. There is a distinction between the freedom of expression and lies.  CountOnMeJay

[2] I think it is the media’s unnecessary fuss that developed this issue into a big scandal. The nuance in Park Jaebeom’s comments was misinterpreted, and there was too much significance granted on his expression of feelings in a personal space.

[3] Even if he had an intention of criticizing Korea just as the media had interpreted, I do not believe it was a valid reason for him to quit all entertainment activities.

“I think it is true Korea is like sh*t right now.”

It was something that a hot-blooded 22-year-old fellow can possibly say. [Note: Author later corrected the age to 18.]

[4] Park Jaebeom didn’t come to Korea as an American diplomat but to sing on the stage. His responsibilities or his expected behaviors were not about showing courtesy to Korea, but they were about what he could show on the stage.

[5] The fact that the whole country shows a hysterical reaction to the complaints made by a young singer only proves that Korea is a lame country. The fact that our society gets hurt by a young singer’s sarcastic remarks only proves that we are emotionally immature.

[6] Why don’t you apply at least one tenth of the criteria you used to criticize Park Jaebeom towards politicians instead? There are so many trashy people who despise Korea and look down on its people. If you must make demands of someone to show courtesy to the Korean people, you should direct these towards politicians.

[7] If you just kick out Park Jaebeom like this, you would not prove anything except that Korean society is a mob of stalkers.  It is a tragedy that we pick on a young singer’s immature complaints made during a difficult time and that we tell him to have a gloomy life because of that.

[8] It was not a mature act of the CEO Park Jinyoung [of JYPE Entertainment] to attack Park Jaebeom by mentioning “personal problems.” He should have revealed the facts.  All CEOs of entertainment companies block their idols from dating. However, to see Park Jinyoung making an issue of Jaebeom’s personal problems looks as strange as seeing Madonna claiming her virginity.

[9] I have told the fans of Park Jaebeom, “Cast your votes!  If you do not judge this government of chauvinism, the ‘blasphemer’ Park Jaebeom will not be able to come back. They consider Korea as a sacred ground that can never be challenged.”

[10] Although Yoon Do-Hyun has had numerous stage performances in America, he has criticized the U.S. many times, on the war in Iraq, Misun and Hyosun… and mad cow disease. Wouldn’t you make fun of the U.S. for being stingy if the nation disses Yoon Do-Hyun for that reason? Let’s not make ourselves a laughing stock by being unnecessarily stubborn.

[Extra] Meg Ryan, whom I had adored very much, made disparaging remarks on Korea.  My loving noona Meg …. At that time, I only said one thing: “Now the permed hair doesn’t look good on her anymore.”