Members of the Wonder Girls and Super Junior bands encounter criticism following their tribute posts in honor of Charlie Kirk
In a surprising turn of events, two South Korean celebrities, Choi Si-won of Super Junior and Sunye, a former member of Wonder Girls, have found themselves embroiled in a wave of controversy following their tributes to the late Charlie Kirk, a controversial US conservative figure known for his focus on culture-war issues and making controversial statements.
Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during a debate event on Aug. 10. His death has sparked a wave of controversy in Korea, particularly after Sunye and Choi Si-won posted tributes to Kirk on their social media platforms.
Sunye uploaded a clip of Kirk's memorial to her Instagram story, praising him for preaching Jesus Christ until his death. The tribute post drew criticism, with some fans and online commentators expressing disappointment, stating they would unfollow due to the situation. In response to the mounting backlash, the post was likely removed.
Choi Si-won shared a memorial post on Aug. 11 from US pastor John Bevere and the Christian group Bible Alive. The memorial post described Kirk as 'one of America's heroes' who 'stood firmly against evil.' This post too drew criticism, with critics questioning Choi's decision to mourn a figure known for his contentious remarks on gender, race, and politics.
After criticism that the post appeared to endorse Kirk's far-right stance, Choi issued an explanation through the fan platform Bubble on Friday. He clarified that he deleted the post because his intention was being misinterpreted.
It's important to note that there are no credible reports or information indicating that any other South Korean celebrities have recently posted tributes to Charlie Kirk on their social media or faced consequences for such actions.
Charlie Kirk's death has undoubtedly left a significant impact, but the tributes from these South Korean celebrities have added a new layer of controversy to his legacy.
