Stray Kids’ leader Bang Chan has apologized for his comments about the behavior of younger K-Pop idols that indirectly show ‘disrespect.’
In the May 14 episode of his weekly live stream titled, “Chan’s Room,” Bang Chan was asked “How was ‘Music Bank in Paris?,’” and he later on talked about his experience at Music Bank in Paris, which happened in early April of this year.
While reminiscing about his memories with Stray Kids and sharing the stage “with a lot of great artists” during the event, he also touched on some of the generational differences he had noticed in younger K-Pop idols.
In English, he said, “I don’t know, I might sound like a boomer. Because generations are different, and I know that as well. But I feel like it’s come to the point where greeting someone is not considered as basic manners…Because you know, if you see someone walk by, and you say hi, but then, if they don’t reply back, it’d be like, ‘What the…? Okay…’ But I feel like it’s come to the point where this generation is allowed to do that. [To] just not care…because there were a few scenarios where that would happen.”
Bang Chan had explained that he was first surprised when some of his hoobaes didn’t greet him back, but later said that he might just be over-exaggerating or overthinking, or “Maybe I’m just a boomer.”
In Korean culture, greeting etiquette is very much important and younger people or those lower in position bows to someone older or with a higher position. For this reason, it’s highly likely that Bang Chan felt a culture shock when the younger K-Pop idols didn’t greet him back.
The Stray Kids’ rapper didn’t mention any names in his live stream, but it led numerous K-Pop fans to speculate names and guess who that idol might have been. It also led to some backlash towards Bang Chan.
On May 17, 2023, Bang Chan posted an apology for his remarks and to clarify that the idol mentioned in the speculations made online wasn’t the person he was referring to.
“Hello, this is Bang Chan from Stray Kids.
I apologize for the offense caused by the comments I made during a recent live broadcast.
I thought about the impact my words and behavior can have on others, and have deeply reflected on myself.
I would like to mention that it was not my intention to specify a certain artist, and that my comments had nothing to do with the artist being mentioned currently.
I would like to express my deepest apologies to the artist who has been hurt by my careless words. I sincerely apologize.
I will be more cautious of what I say in order to ensure this does not happen again.
Once again, I sincerely apologize.”
Stays quickly flocked to social media to defend Bang Chan, and commented as well on how “unreal” it felt to see someone apologize for pointing out how manners are important. Some also pointed out how other senior K-Pop artists have also voiced out their opinion on the same issue.
the fact that bang chan had to apologise for asking for basic manners is absolutely fucking insane and beyond me, the fact that MULTIPLE other idols have talked about this same thing means it’s an issue but why is it that chan is always singled out and painted as the bad guy :/ pic.twitter.com/ZOAho7jD2e
— tiny han jisung 🐿 (@pockethhan) May 17, 2023
if you strays didn’t mention ive in the first place, it wouldn’t reach numbers because tf do we care abt bang chan? we only knew about the issue bcs of u strays bringing ive up.
you guys are the reason bang chan is being targeted and hated on now. deal with it.
— nini (@liztonins) May 17, 2023
no no and no. he said he wasn't saying ANY name cuz he was talking about the new gen in GENERAL but YOU guys immediately said he was talking about ive. if the shoe fits it fits and it's not bang chan's fault or responsability, he's not even the first one to talk about this issue. https://t.co/SAkSHFVO1c
— Sora★★★★★ (@soraakz) May 16, 2023
crying cause that bang chan guy did NOT need to issue an apology he just had to wait a couple of hours and everyone would have forgot 😭😭😭
— zahra (@ctrlzahra) May 17, 2023
My thoughts about this whole bangchan issue.. I’m lazy to type here pic.twitter.com/BAvn4wuMqt
— 颖 • 𝒙𝒖𝒂𝒏 🍓 (@mantouhyune) May 17, 2023
I couldn’t understand why bangchan need to apologise when he didnt mention any group…why the issue getting out of hand???
— 큐스라 ✨ (@minqilahhh__) May 17, 2023
What's even more concerning is that he wasn't the only one who raised this issue. Various groups across generations have already aired this out but people just reeeaaallly love to hone in on bang chan.
— carmen ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (@maybecammi) May 16, 2023
why tf are some fans targeting bang chan over his statement & also why are fans targeting ive when no group was even ever mentioned?! y'all are just making this issue big when bang chan just simply wanted to express his feelings over the junior-senior culture. https://t.co/QzS6eoEanJ
— belleeee 🦋 (@baesuuuuji) May 17, 2023
BANGCHAN DID NOTHING WRONG!!!!he stated how he felt about something and didn’t say anything offensive whatsoever…. and y’all tryna cancel him? the fact he had to issue an apology for something that isn’t offensive is… really sad. BANGCHAN BEST LEADER!!! i just wanna hug him🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/qDsc2bjoxV
— ᴊᴇɴɴᴀ ◟̽◞̽ ✶ is excited! (@alwaystommo_91) May 17, 2023
bang chan, a kpop idol, knows a lot more about the experiences of idols in the kpop industry than any of us here.
i think that's enough reason to believe/respect him as well as the OTHER SENIOR ARTISTS who have shared the SAME SENTIMENTS regarding the issue. https://t.co/FQrtUIzHPn
— kyla ★⁵ (@mydayskz) May 16, 2023
this bang chan situation is really unnecessary imo bc 1) he didn’t call any names and 2) whether or not you agree with it bowing, using honorifics and being respectful to seniors is a HUGE part of korean culture so ofc he’s going to find issue with ppl not doing that?
— kəira (@keiranikole) May 16, 2023
The way Bang Chan needs to apologize when the issue had been spoken by 2nd and 3rd gen idol too bfr. Like he doesn't even say the grp name and your alr know that THE GRP had been acting that way. Being not disrespectful etc. Just bcs u selling alot doesn't mean you are at the top https://t.co/S55OIDoYcN
— Haneul (@treaume_) May 17, 2023
Bang Chan had absolutely nothing to apologize for. He said what he said and meant what he said. If fans start speculating about who it was then that’s a whole different issue. We have seen plenty of clips that show that not a lot of groups show the respect necessary now.
— ☁️Vante’s Sky☁️~ Moonbin my Angel💜 (@aislin679) May 17, 2023
This is not the first time someone calls out about this issue. But you guys are just being picky of who you are attacking 🙃 there are a lot of 2nd & 3rd gen idols speaking about this matter but because it's Bangchan it's a loser-ish attitude? lol
— KY ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ SHIPMENTS ON GOING 🤍 (@hwangbokkie) May 16, 2023
knetizens bringing up h*j's issue just because bangchan said that some hoobaes don't greet skz… why don't y'all go check the group that didn't greet? because it's not the first time that that specific group has had a controversy for not greeting their seniors.
— sigrid (@thanxxskz) May 16, 2023
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