"Backstreet Rookie" Caught Up in Yet Another Controversy
"Backstreet Rookie" has been embroiled in yet another controversy.
Earlier, Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung's drama was criticized for scenes that allegedly involved "sexualizing minors," which made viewers raise their concerns. According to the Korea Communication Standards Commission (the nation's internet censorship body), it has reportedly received over 6,000 complaints regarding those particular scenes.
"Backstreet Rookie" Coiled In Another Controversy Under Racial Prejudice
Before the premiere, the show was promoted to be family-friendly with humorous and over-the-top comedy. But after it kicked off, and aired episodes each week, netizens alleged that some scenes were inappropriate. Collective, it depicts "sexualizing high school girls," and "using prostitution as a point of humor."
In addition, it allegedly plagiarized a "manga illustration" scene from the Japanese film "Bakuman."
To name a few of this condemnation, mostly comes from local Korean viewers. And it didn't stop there.
The latest episode of "Backstreet Rookie" showed a Nigerian man dancing with Dal-Shik, which gained another wave of criticisms. Not only the local audience, but the international viewers also found it absurd to show the dance moves, as Dal-Shik is hooked by Bob Marley and other Jamaican moves.
Um Moon Suk, in the role of Han Dal-Shik, is a webtoon artist, and in character, he loves Jamaican style. He wears a dreadlocks wig and tie-dye shirts in loud Jamaican colors. This portrayal was censured by netizens for cultural appropriation because he is a Korean man.
What added to the concern is when an actual Nigerian guest character, with dreadlocks and wearing a Rastafarian T-shirt, entered the store. As he approached the counter where Dal-Shik stood, his reaction was overly surprised to see a man that has the same style as his. They randomly danced in Bob Marley "A lalala long" around the store.
Tell me why this is on a popular kdrama in this day and age As much as I love Ji Changwook, this drama has got to go️️️️ pic.twitter.com/1ZUjLmJ6RT — Cadz⁷ (@Caddz_) July 3, 2020
As of today, international fans took their sentiments and disgraced the show via social media platforms. Online users also directed their anger and frustrations towards the procedure. And no censorship block from the writer of "Backstreet Rookie" instead.
Meanwhile, Ji Chang Wook, together with Um Moon Sul (still in his dreads), shared a video on his Instagram account, having fun in their acrobatic moves. Ji Chang Wook even wears a wig and gives off a happy aura as they laugh and goof around.
View this post on Instagram편의점 장룡이. A post shared by 지창욱 (@jichangwook) on Jul 7, 2020 at 7:38am PDT
Korean drama series are becoming more mainstream across borders, not just in Asia. Stereotypes among local South Koreans are concerned if the show may damage the perception of African descent. Questions also arise why the management allows the show to air in a free-to-air television nationwide.
SBS network and lead actors have not released any details or explanations regarding the controversy mentioned.
In the drama, Saet Byul (Kim Yoo Jung) received an award as the employee of the month as the store reaches high sales among other branches. On the other hand, Dae Hyun (Ji Chang Wook) has issues with his rich girlfriend and her family.
