Kiss of Life addressed backlash after their 50 Cent-themed livestream was slammed for blackfishing and cultural appropriation, calling the expertise “a invaluable studying expertise.”
Okay-Pop group Kiss of Life is being accused of being nothing however a bunch of racists after a birthday livestream that includes the group wearing early 2000s Hip-Hop apparel and dancing to 50 Cent’s “In da Membership.”
The cringy video drew accusations of blackfishing and cultural appropriation.
The March 29 video, meant as a celebration for member Julie, as an alternative ignited outrage for its use of fifty Cent’s#### tune, cornrows, Bantu knots and gold chains—styling many on-line mentioned leaned into dangerous stereotypes of Black tradition.
The South Korean lady group has reportedly misplaced greater than 200,000 followers throughout social media platforms and their label, S2 Leisure, was pressured to reply.
The corporate initially described the video as a tribute to Hip-Hop’s affect on the group’s music however acknowledged that the content material “may very well be perceived as offensive.”
On April 5, the 4 members—Julie (Julie Han), Natty (Anatchaya Suputhipong), Belle (Shim Hye-won) and Haneul (Received Ha-neul)—issued a handwritten apology, admitting that they had crossed a line.
“We actually wish to sincerely apologize for the content material that was uploaded that precipitated a lot disappointment to our followers,” the letter learn. “We now have to appear calm on the skin however the time main as much as this letter has truthfully been arduous.”
The group, which debuted in July 2023, mentioned they now perceive the video was culturally insensitive and pledged to take full accountability.
“Whereas taking pictures the content material we ended up taking the idea too far,” they wrote. “We notice now that our content material was culturally insensitive and take full accountability for our actions and may solely promise to do higher.”
The apology acknowledged the delay in addressing the difficulty and emphasised that the members had spent the times following the livestream reflecting on the affect of their actions.
“We all know that there’s nothing we will say or do that can magically repair the error we made,” the group wrote. “The one factor that we will promise is that we’ll proceed to teach ourselves and present our sincerity by way of our actions moderately than phrases.”
The controversy has positioned Kiss of Life amongst a rising listing of Okay-pop acts accused of appropriating Black tradition, together with BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Mamamoo, BTS’s RM and G-Dragon, who as soon as dressed as Trayvon Martin in blackface.
Regardless of the backlash, the group mentioned they continue to be dedicated to spreading positivity by way of music.
“We actually remorse the alternatives we made and are genuinely sorry for any ache and misery we’ve precipitated our followers,” the letter concluded. “This case has been a invaluable studying expertise for us.”
50 Cent has but to remark.
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