Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sends letters to entertainment agencies to take steps in preventing "Block B incident" in the future
Prompted by Block B's recent controversy for their actions during an interview in Thailand, South Korea's Culture Minister has sent an official letter to talent agencies to strengthen education in artists to develop better manners to prevent recurrence of the incident.
The outcome of Block B's actions in the interview has urged Choe Kwangshik, the minister for The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to personally send letters to major talent and entertainment agencies and producers. The letters encourages the agencies to take steps to prevent another incident of the likes from occurring again.
The Ministry's move came after Block B was in the spotlight for the actions displayed during an interview with Thailand, along with their comments regarding the recent flood. The certain video clip resulted in criticism from their Thai followers, with other Korean celebrities and fans leaving brash comments as well.
An official revealed some contents of the letter by saying, “In the letter, Choe asked agencies to pay greater attention to education on personality development and cultural differences for Hallyu stars and would-be-entertainers, so that they can keep in mind their roles and influence as public figures."
Just last year, the ministry supported the increasing popularity of the Korean pop culture and offered humanities lectures and counseling programs to the entertainers. Now, they are planning to expand the lectures and encourage the talent agencies to comply with attendance.
Block B was interviewed for 30 minutes by the Thai media site RYT9 on January 30th, where they were asked on their opinions regarding the country's recent flooding that damaged the country. The leader Zico replied, "I hope monetary compensation will heal their wounds because all I have is money."
According to Korea Times, another member asked how much his total assets were worth and Zico replied, "About 7,000 won ($6)." Throughout the interview, one Block B member could be seen walking around, while another was seen lying down on the coffee table.
Since the incident, Block B sent their official apologies to everyone through a video message and also plans to change their "free-spirited concept" due to the controversy. The group's leader Zico also shaved his hair to repent from his actions.
However, there has been reports that there are some netizens who have been collecting signatures for Block B's disbandment and withdrawal from the entertainment industry.
Regarding reactions from Thailand, a ministry official said that while the Thai people felt uncomfortable, "the government hasn’t seen the signs of displeasure developing into anti-Korean sentiment yet."
He continues, "But if such a thing reoccurs, public opinion there will become aggressive toward Korea’s pop culture in its entirety. In exchanges between countries, building trust and paying respects to counterpart nations is the most important thing. We’ll try to prevent such incidents from recurring."
What do you think of the Ministry's actions after the incident?
Source: Korea Times
Rainlove17 0 Points
I think hey're either covering it up or ignoring the situation. There are so many anti-kpop sentiments already, and people are not only asking for their disbandment, they're sending death threats and harassing their family members.
chanseobie 25 Points
I say they need to help Block B now and deal with all this LATER. They're too worried about their tourism and Korea rather than some very obvious issues here. Yes, it is a huge issue, but they have to take small baby steps now. It's all said and done, they just need to let Block B heal!
joAnnwashere 1151 Points
Well obviously they're concerned about tourism, when they're the ministry of tourism.. lolol
flynfreako 75 Points
I think Block B can heal if their company lets them. They need to stay away from any media and negative things right now. They should stay off the internet and if they get fan mail, it should be sorted before given to them. Once it calms down, they can come back.
In the meantime, the Ministry can do what they feel compelled to do. They have to look like they're doing something about it so the hate doesn't end up spreading. Otherwise, other groups could be hurt... maybe Thailand will be extra critical to future interviews. I think it's okay the Ministry looks like it cares about the incident.
minsminsmins 0 Points
Okay wow NO. That explanation of what happened is completely false and was mistranslated. Please go check your facts before you report on these things. The main reason this issue has gotten as big as it is is thanks to these bad translations being published as truth.
SebStrife 1 Points
If it's a mistranslation, instead of complaining, why don't you tell us what really happened?
rancho0903 0 Points
I'm thai people and I have many friend and they are like block b. They are ready to forgive, because of the time. They have learned. Penalties and weight of the Korean society.
Please stop the blame on them and the Thai people are very compassionate. Everyone is always ready to forgive them.
erina 25 Points
"Throughout the interview, one Block B member could be seen walking around, while another was seen lying down on the coffee table." I thought these were only at the beginning of the video when photos were taken (which was still inappropriate) before they were interviewed? Or maybe I wasn't paying attention enough when watching the video. :/
IMO, it's getting boring to ask artists about the flood. It's like they have nothing else to ask. And the 7000 won remark, I see it as a joke (a baddd one).
@rancho0903 From what I read on the Internet, some Thais are NOT ready to forgive them and it doesn't seem they will. :( I've read one of them said they had brains so they would not forgive (or something like that). What kind of logic is that?
Anyway, the majority of Thai people don't even know about this controversy. I don't think that this one incident will affect Korea's tourism and I don't think something like this will happen again.
hyeja saqura 0 Points
learn from the mistake and a lapse, it is the best, so do not continue to blame the block b. Indeed, what they comment are very sensitive as a possible but people should not continue to criticize bcuz it puts more dissatisfaction with each other. To block b, u are one of group are very talented so do not give up okey....make this a lesson for u all. hope after this u will be more motivated n more mature in all things that u all go through. In this world we humans will never miss from making a mistake, no matter how big n small that mistake. i'm is a big fan block b so u do ur best n be the best...fighting block b...luv u all.
qkyungburr 0 Points
i don't like how this issue is being toted around as the major thing giving south korea and its music a bad rap internationally. if korea thinks that a few boys messing around during an interview is worse than its continuous use of blackface on national tv and other comments made by its idols that involve misogyny (cap), homophobia (super junior), and other ongoing, disgusting issues, it needs to reassess its priorities.
block b fooled around in an interview when they shouldn't have. this was wrong of them. their fans asked them to apologize once the video aired, and they were going to. the situation was blown out of proportion with mistranslations: kyung asked zico how much money he had ON him at the moment, and zico said 7000 won, so they proceeded to laugh at his poverty. never did block b take thailand's disaster lightly: they each donated $200 and books to thailand to help them recover. zico has shaved his head in atonement and p.o, their youngest member, has been admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with stress induced schizophrenia as a result of the disgusting hate and suicide petitions that have been posted. broadcasting stations have proceeded to restrict their performances.
if you don't think that this was blown out of proportion and block b has done far more than enough in apology, you're one messed up individual.
if you think that it's okay for people to go around online, cowards behind the safety of their computer screen, and call for the suicide of seven boys, you're sick and disgusting.