Comedian Kim Shinyoung is facing backlash for allegedly mocking the virtual idol group 'PLAVE.'
On the February 16th broadcast of MBC FM4U's 'Song of Hope with Kim Shinyoung,' she commented on PLAVE's song 'Dash,' saying, "Hasn't it been two years since PLAVE debuted? I still can't get used to it." She added, "What made me really upset was that Go Youngbae took a picture with a PLAVE member. I was really surprised. I wondered, 'How did he record with (PLAVE)? How did he do a show with them?'"
Rapper Hangzoo explained, "You can't meet them. I’m close to virtual idols. Basically, they live in a different world, so we can't meet them. We can only communicate through social media. Kim Shinyoung responded, "I'm going crazy. Then does that mean Go Youngbae took a picture by himself?" Hangzoo clarified, "It was edited. These characters can come to specific places, so Go Youngbae went there and took the photo himself."
Kim Shinyoung said, "To be completely honest, (PLAVE) can't appear on our show. I think I'd get a sense of disillusionment with reality if they ever did. Where am I supposed to look when the members are not actually there? I know we should accept this kind of culture, but I just can't yet."
PLAVE fans expressed their displeasure. The radio show's viewer message board was flooded with demands for an apology and for Kim Shinyoung to step down from her position as host. Comments included, "I didn't expect her to be so rude. I'm disappointed," "PLAVE didn't do anything wrong. She's the one who needs a reality check," and "She should apologize for her careless remarks."
-I'm rooting for Kim Shinyoungㅠㅠ
-Hul... It even made the news. It's understandable for someone in her 40s to not understand virtual idols. Are their fans seriously telling her to step down?? Go criticize your own idolsㅜ
-Conversations are meant to be face-to-face with interaction. But with virtual idols, she has to pretend there's someone in front of her when actually, there's nothing there. It's understandable for her to say she can't do that.
-It's fine to like virtual idols. But shouldn't you also understand that there are people out there who feel disillusioned to talk to an empty space while pretending there's someone??
-The other party can see me, but I have to pretend to see them when in reality, I'm talking to thin air. Isn't that extremely difficult?
-I do think she was rude, but the fans, or at least some of them, are overreacting, which seems to be backfiring...
-To muggles, this is just... completely absurd.
-Although it was unfortunate she mentioned it on the show, I completely agree with Kim Shinyoung's thoughts.
-Regular people might feel uncomfortable or not understand it. It's a transitional period. Why are they attacking her for it?
-I wish they wouldn’t show up on music shows. It looks so bizarre every time I see it.
-Honestly, having to talk to thin air could definitely be disillusioning.
-I read the full context, and she wasn’t rude or anything. It's just a normal reaction from someone who's not familiar with the concept of virtual idols.
-Just accept the fact that anyone who’s not a fan would think this way;;
-It seems like something that could be resolved with just an apology, but demanding her resignation is over the top...
-Should she apologize to thin air too then?
