This blog post is largely inspired by this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnV9uUjWxJI
I urge you to watch this before continuing.
The current scandal involving the K-Pop singer Kim Hyun-Joong is a story that is simply shocking, but not even for the scandal itself. The response to the scandal from people who are his fans is what shocks and upsets me the most.
The "scandal" is that this man was accused of beating his ex-girlfriend. She has provided copious amounts of evidence to back her accusation (hospital records, photos, text messages) and goes by the name "A". At first even I was shocked to hear this, as having been a fan of this celebrity in the past it felt out of character - I will address this later on. However, upon reading that he released a statement admitting that he had beaten her was enough proof for me (and everyone, I argue) that he IS an abuser and he should be punished for it.
His statement (source):
The agency stated, "After confirming [with Kim Hyun Joong], we found that it's true the two parties have known each other since 2012, but they didn't start dating until a few months ago... In the middle of their relationship, the two had an intense exchange of words. Though it's true that in their heightened emotional state things got physical, it's not true that there was continual physical assaults or that she's been battered and beaten over the past two months like what was reported."
In terms of the reports that the woman in question suffered fractured ribs, KeyEast said,"Their physical fight was a one time occurrence, and her fractured ribs didn't occur due to their recent argument. Her ribs were injured when they were playing around previously, and the next day, they met with acquaintances. As there didn't seem to be anything abnormal, her injury wasn't recognized."
How genuine does this sound to you?
Whether the statement is completely true or not, he has admitted that he has beaten her, and therefore IS an abuser. The truth is there in black and white. Since then, he has also delivered a consistent statement to the police. While the hard truth is being sugarcoated and the investigation continues, we await his conviction.
Returning to what I said earlier - "even I was shocked to hear this, as having been a fan of this celebrity in the past it felt out of character" - I honestly feel like such a fool, but I am more upset that I am not the only one. The backlash from his fans since the news was first released has been appalling. All over social media sites there have been young girls proclaiming that there is no way he could have done this and they have essentially rejected all claims and have turned to victim shaming instead of looking at the facts. I only hope that now since the release of his statement and his actions thereafter will persuade them to see why their actions were wrong.
This is one of the massive problems with fan culture that needs to be addressed urgently. Celebrities aren't who you think they are. It's as simple as that. In order for them to appeal to their fan-bases, they have agents and PRs who make sure that they are "the perfect person". Of course we all believed that he was a "good guy" - in interviews he's come across as the kind of man who would be a "perfect boyfriend". That's the point. He's a product. His image is being sold to his fans to make him buy-able. Don't believe every single thing you hear.
The fact that so many have been duped by the mask is terrifying. To have had people try and defend his actions and attack the victim seriously make me question whether or not the issues surrounding domestic abuse will ever go away. This isn't the first time we've witnessed extreme action on the internet. The Biebermania also sees vicious attacks on twitter against those to speak ill of Justin Bieber, and in extreme cases has even caused young girls to self harm in order to gain his attention.
In a time where we are finally starting to acknowledge that abuse is a huge problem in society, is this case a sign that more need to be done to show people that abused should never be condoned no matter what the circumstances are.
To end this blog post - which is a complete mess (sorry about that by the way - I haven't written in a long time), I'd like to return to the video that I mentionned right at the beginning of the post. The response to her video has more or less reiterated what I said about scary fangirls/made me more scared. I don't even know anymore.
http://infinitelyinspiritsy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/delusional-hyun-joong-fans-find-video.html
I don't know how I come across in this but the discussion ought to be had. I have tried to present the facts and give opinions... thoughts?
I urge you to watch this before continuing.
The current scandal involving the K-Pop singer Kim Hyun-Joong is a story that is simply shocking, but not even for the scandal itself. The response to the scandal from people who are his fans is what shocks and upsets me the most.
The "scandal" is that this man was accused of beating his ex-girlfriend. She has provided copious amounts of evidence to back her accusation (hospital records, photos, text messages) and goes by the name "A". At first even I was shocked to hear this, as having been a fan of this celebrity in the past it felt out of character - I will address this later on. However, upon reading that he released a statement admitting that he had beaten her was enough proof for me (and everyone, I argue) that he IS an abuser and he should be punished for it.
His statement (source):
The agency stated, "After confirming [with Kim Hyun Joong], we found that it's true the two parties have known each other since 2012, but they didn't start dating until a few months ago... In the middle of their relationship, the two had an intense exchange of words. Though it's true that in their heightened emotional state things got physical, it's not true that there was continual physical assaults or that she's been battered and beaten over the past two months like what was reported."
In terms of the reports that the woman in question suffered fractured ribs, KeyEast said,"Their physical fight was a one time occurrence, and her fractured ribs didn't occur due to their recent argument. Her ribs were injured when they were playing around previously, and the next day, they met with acquaintances. As there didn't seem to be anything abnormal, her injury wasn't recognized."
How genuine does this sound to you?
Whether the statement is completely true or not, he has admitted that he has beaten her, and therefore IS an abuser. The truth is there in black and white. Since then, he has also delivered a consistent statement to the police. While the hard truth is being sugarcoated and the investigation continues, we await his conviction.
Returning to what I said earlier - "even I was shocked to hear this, as having been a fan of this celebrity in the past it felt out of character" - I honestly feel like such a fool, but I am more upset that I am not the only one. The backlash from his fans since the news was first released has been appalling. All over social media sites there have been young girls proclaiming that there is no way he could have done this and they have essentially rejected all claims and have turned to victim shaming instead of looking at the facts. I only hope that now since the release of his statement and his actions thereafter will persuade them to see why their actions were wrong.
This is one of the massive problems with fan culture that needs to be addressed urgently. Celebrities aren't who you think they are. It's as simple as that. In order for them to appeal to their fan-bases, they have agents and PRs who make sure that they are "the perfect person". Of course we all believed that he was a "good guy" - in interviews he's come across as the kind of man who would be a "perfect boyfriend". That's the point. He's a product. His image is being sold to his fans to make him buy-able. Don't believe every single thing you hear.
The fact that so many have been duped by the mask is terrifying. To have had people try and defend his actions and attack the victim seriously make me question whether or not the issues surrounding domestic abuse will ever go away. This isn't the first time we've witnessed extreme action on the internet. The Biebermania also sees vicious attacks on twitter against those to speak ill of Justin Bieber, and in extreme cases has even caused young girls to self harm in order to gain his attention.
In a time where we are finally starting to acknowledge that abuse is a huge problem in society, is this case a sign that more need to be done to show people that abused should never be condoned no matter what the circumstances are.
To end this blog post - which is a complete mess (sorry about that by the way - I haven't written in a long time), I'd like to return to the video that I mentionned right at the beginning of the post. The response to her video has more or less reiterated what I said about scary fangirls/made me more scared. I don't even know anymore.
http://infinitelyinspiritsy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/delusional-hyun-joong-fans-find-video.html
I don't know how I come across in this but the discussion ought to be had. I have tried to present the facts and give opinions... thoughts?
