Racism in K-Dramas + Squid Game Hoyeon Jung Cultural Appropriation | Penthouse & Backstreet Rookie

[@AdeolaAsh]

A lot of you guys wanted me to talk about Penthouse, so I hope you’ll find my analysis helpful! I recorded the voiceover for this in October, but due to technical difficulties, copyright etc, I’ve only just been able to post the video now. I have another version of this video that’s still waiting for copyright clearance (it’s currently available through my Patreon). If the video gets approved, I will link it here

[@BrownGirlColorStruckWorld]

Look into SBS play "Meet the Blacks". Black expats got that isht shut down. There was also a play about Biggie and Tupac and their beef which included no black people at any level. They ran it, but changed the names. One of the main actors was a complete piece of isht about it.

[@kagrra007]

Thank you for this video, well done as usual.

[@ollynolly4592]

Honestly, as an African it is not really the use of our culture by other people that bothers me, it is the portrayal of us that bothers me. People get locs and braids and start acting like they're cool, dangerous, gangsters etc. It's just a hair style but the weight of the image that other people put on black people when they wear our hair and clothes and copy our mannerism is so damaging. I use to be fine with people of other cultures taking inspiration from ours but with every incident like this I become more and more hesitant in accepting it.

[@mutelarsorhougbe4606]

^^yess!

[@adetomiakintitan4980]

This right here! “It’s the weight of the image that other people put on black people when they wear our hairstyle” this is exactly how I feel. The portrayal is so damaging and every time I see something like this I get hesitant 😩 Afraid of the potential damage it can cause for black people🤧

[@soupafleye]

it’s disturbing and rooted in racist stereotyping

[@mimiandy1683]

This is how I feel. I am a New Yorker, born and raised. So, I’ve see some shit. This ^^^ (non-black wearing black hairstyles) doesn’t personally bother me. It’s when non-black people wear these hairstyles because they want to portray themselves as being dangerous and a “bad ass”… Or when non-black women wear their hair in black hairstyles because they want to look “ratchet” or a “girl from the ghetto”… is when I 🤨😒😒

[@lilyryeo2676]

perfectly said!

[@ongoingsky9347]

K-pop and K-dramas have so many black fans but the evidence is overwhelming that black people and black culture is NOT respected in Korea.

[@fbafoundationalbuck-broken6011]

In Asia in general.

[@helpfulnotthehelp8778]

Black culture is probably only respected in the USA and the african Continent to be honest. I still hear the lack of representation argument because we are minorities even thiugh we are always represented as villians, thugs, clowns and fillers. No issues being these if we can also be heroes but it is a struggle bus,

[@Drastly]

@@helpfulnotthehelp8778 Its barely respected in the US because non Black Americans think Black culture is American culture. Then you have a lot of people invalidating the culture and using it like they're cosplaying. And some African people and expats think like this also.

[@mimiandy1683]

@@Drastly you and I are 👉🏾👈🏾. I just said a similar comment. People don’t think African-Americans don’t have a dominant and distinguish culture. It’s why folks have no problem mimicking cultural factors, but are respectful enough to stay away from other cultures’ things.

[@DarkFaeCosplay]

@@helpfulnotthehelp8778 black culture is not even respected in America we get pushed aside and our opinions are thrown away

[@luztrotman8040]

I'm glad that you're talking about Hoyeon because a lot of people are excusing her ignorance just because she's pretty and that "its not her fault its her modeling agency's fault" and I'm also hearing that she's deleting comments from Instagram from people who are calling her out

[@ITEEZ-]

Wow, she definitely needs to be called out

[@Georgeorwell9260]

Shame cause I liked her

[@journeybeyondthesea]

Exactly!!!

[@journeybeyondthesea]

@@Georgeorwell9260 same this is such a disappointment

[@shireenrazak7160]

Embarrassing...

[@Lola-jh8bw]

The fact that there is a cornrowshop is just...

[@mutelarsorhougbe4606]

And not ONE black person in sight too’

[@pinneapplegirl9698]

^^^^^^

[@chickofmusic001]

@@mutelarsorhougbe4606 THIS EXACTLY, it’s a weird phenomenon.

[@lilyraimey3499]

Right…. Something we’re taught as preteens to do while sitting in our mom/aunt/grandma’s knees as a form of bonding and from necessity they have to mimic like this just for a slice of our culture. Sad.

[@shanayadior7142]

The fact that they were so cheap

[@ainmiky4620]

They need to stop harmfully portraying black people as violent. This is so wrong on so many levels. They know what they doin too

[@nicoleraheem1195]

I agree. A white man thought I was going to run his toddler over with a bike, while completely being oblivious to the 8 feet of space I was aiming for

[@ickyoyj2204]

This is the part that I’m very much tired of and angry about!!! Why would they even have the mindset that black peoples culture involves being angry and violent!?? Why are we considered the angry and violent race by Koreans?? Same thing Wendy from Red Velvet said that our women are angry and the men are thugs that senseless girl!!! but they all copy everything black do, from singing, rapping and dancing and even speaking but they keep portraying as violent!!? I’m so tired of it !!

[@honeybear5792]

@@ickyoyj2204 someone said this before and I couldn't agree more, they said: "they want black people's culture but don't want the black people who represent it"

[@xim3naaaaaaaa]

@@nicoleraheem1195oh my…i’m so sorry

[@notgoodatonlinenames9943]

I can already hear a certain kyoutuber talking about how we "shouldn't expect koreans to know about this stuff/why should we expect some random korean chick to know her wearing braids is gonna offend people" even though koreans especially the korean celebrities have made it abundantly clear that they know what they're doing..

[@prettyclassybear7683]

The shade ☕️

[@samaralovegoodblack5775]

Exactly, they know what they freaking do, but they don't care at all

[@AdeolaAsh]

Who is still openly saying such nonsense in 2021?

[@ongoingsky9347]

Oh but they do “know about this stuff” they just don’t care.

[@oop-3445]

who? tell me rn

[@iqqyhassan2339]

The Alex look makes me feel nauseous every time I see it like no one thought "hey this a bad idea, we shouldn't do it." I never heard him speak until this video but that blaccent cringed me to another dimension. It's amazing how this is the most I have seen black people in a kdrama and of course it's the stereotypical violent role.

[@ainmiky4620]

Right 💀💀 that was embarrassing.

[@lauren578]

That was so embarrassing. I will never get that out of my head😭

[@Lunaxklk]

The accent shocked me. They knew what they were doing

[@fellix7531]

Yesss! I cringed so hard, the second hand embarassment is unbearable

[@areeba7045]

i actually gasped when he showed up on screen

[@priscilla8068]

I wish black actors in Korea would stop accepting these degrading roles not only that, but they must tell these companies why these roles are inappropriate. I know there are a number of reasons that make these actors desperate enough to play these roles but this is not it. We cannot fight this fight whilst having black people going for these kind of roles. These companies need to be held accountable unfortunately where money is concerned people simply don’t care and it doesn’t help that their main audience has no issues with these kind of things. As for the Penthouse actor🤦🏾‍♀️ he should’ve been the first one to see a problem with his character’s appearance but at the end of the day we really can’t expect people who don’t see us as human beings to have any empathy towards us at all.

[@Mylesknox]

Faxx ✊🏿

[@lilyryeo2676]

preach

[@S123-x5b]

it's hard for black actors, it's already hard for them to get a role in Korea imagine rejecting a role, you think they will be able to stand against the companies? no or at least most of them won't because it's already really hard to get a role. You make it sound so easy.

[@MonsterZeroLITE]

@@S123-x5b being black will never be easy to begin with, and they are right, whenever it’s impossible or not, why are you trying to take away the main point of the comment with that

[@bimshiregirle2464]

I recently watched Boss & Me where two black men played the only deviant characters in this Korean drama filled with white characters. Very disappointed.

[@Prettydiaries_rissa]

I also think people need to start discussing how pretty privilege is used to justify getting black hairstyles. Many times on social media and in real life I will hear people say "oh but it looks good on them." Like........what does that matter????? They still wouldn't experience hair discrimination, if anything they'll just get praised even more.

[@kennyb1588]

Most of the time it never looks good either let’s just be real

[@joydot.dot.dot.8040]

This is such a huge point.... this is what people say every time Kylie or one of the kardashians appropriates a hairstyle

[@banjo9356]

@@kennyb1588 right, they just end up looking really stupid 😭

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

Pretty privilege doesn’t exist. Call it what it is, racism; anti-blackness.

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

@@kennyb1588 It never looks good, f*ck up and everything. 💀

[@stiffbops7361]

i just find it really weird on how people constantly try to cover for people doing the appropriation and say that “they didn’t know any better” or “ they live in Korea” like ummm no💀 you are basically infantilizing them and treating them like babies by saying these kinda of things

[@xanjey17]

They have internet just like we do. They know what’s wrong and hard right.

[@milk__shake4335]

Korea is a "developed" country that's why they all have the things US has too. That's why I'm confused how come the country didn't know anything when they are also one of the countries on the top whose internet are the fastest.

[@mimiandy1683]

At one point in time, a Korean playwright was going to do a musical adaptation of “Roots”. So, yeah, they definitely do know something about African-American culture and had some formal education about it.

[@kundaigogoma9420]

I swear like the internet isn't free

[@Crazypixiness]

One of Adeola's videos even features a kpop star talking to another's "dark skin" and saying he looks like Kunta Kinte. They know. They just don't care. I have a half-Black aunt who grew up in Korea and she let's it be known.

[@gummiehobi8032]

As a white, blonde haired, blue eyed woman who has been to Korea (and understands a bit of Korean) I can completely see how I would be advantaged just because of those features in Korea. As soon as I landed the customs people were saying like “omg how can you be so pale”. When I was walking around I would hear older women saying that I was pretty. Men would open doors for me and let me go in front of them in line. If I had a different skin tone, hair color, and skin color I doubt I would’ve been treated like that because I was wearing a mask the whole time. (Basically meaning they couldn’t even really see my face)

[@ragejinraver]

Because you are the epitome of what they want to be your a goddess to them

[@honeybear5792]

@@ragejinraver yup

[@Peachier_]

What kills me the most is the diluted fans and fandoms when their precious dear idol or kdrama actress or actor does something racist, colorist or culture appropriates the first infamous excuse is “Oh they didn’t know any better you can’t expect Koreans to know about that” like the infantilization is strong...

[@pagesofDawn]

I get what you mean. I had an experience with a black woman speak disrespectfully about my black hair in the comment of my own video because I was talking about a kpop star's hair controversy a few months ago. It's to the point that black fans are attacking qualities that they share with others to defend kpop stars. The toxicity is elevating within our own community. We can have different opinions but cussing at me about how my hair grows out of my head when it grows out of yours the same? IDK

[@offlicense6097]

Fr like if they were able to find out bout like asian american ahte crimes that means that there is already an understanding of racism etc so why is it so hard to believe that some people are aware of racism towards black people, and also the internet is literally a thing

[@momoiida5505]

What annoys me the most is black peoples' (some, not all) willing participation in the degradation of ourselves and our cultures. Why allow yourself to be cast in such a narrow, negative way? It hurts all of us.

[@airyannaswanson3838]

@Peach Juice This!!! They baby these grown ass adult's, and in the same breath sexualize them. The obsession they have for Asians are uncanny.They are soooooo werid.

[@jmqi8]

their go to deflection is "but you listen/watch _ and they've done worse!" ....it's truly embarrassing to witness

[@icednamericano]

The thumbnail gave me a little jump scare 😅😭

[@AdeolaAsh]

😭💀💀

[@journeybeyondthesea]

😂😂

[@tashibalampkin8555]

You blew my mind when you explained how Penthouse only uses black characters to display violence. Also at 20:30, an inconvenience? How dare they! I swear....Korea loves to remind people that they seen black people and black culture as disgusting and something to made fun. Like, I'm sick of the BS and I didn't watch Kdramas

[@kaehui_]

Yes I didn’t even notice it at first so when she explained it I was honestly shocked but it definitely made sense.

[@honeybear5792]

@@kaehui_ I noticed there were only black men as the guards/threats but I thought that was a one time thing.......i was wrong

[@OREOSallthetime]

This is ridiculous and the black people who played in that K-Drama are ridiculous like why would you let them use you like that. Black people are not aggressive.

[@OTK_KING]

I agree but some people need money

[@alanaatkinson551]

The black men who participated in this drama have no self-esteem and have self-hatred.

[@ashley-gu4yw]

@Myllena Silva and especially the black producers that work for big labels like SM that get treated poorly and get paid less.

[@sleek4546]

@@ashley-gu4yw are you being serious??

[@julesministros]

@@ashley-gu4yw where did you get that information?

[@TheLeah2344]

I remember being bullied for having dark skin and wearing braids back in highschool 10 years ago. I also couldn’t get a job when I wore my hair in braids or my natural hair out. I didn’t want to straighten my hair so I slicked it in a bun with gel just to get a job. Yet it’s considered “ trendy and cool “ when other races get braids or try to darken their skin.

[@notwerkinginthishouse8634]

I am so sorry :(

[@diasowell5117]

I felt this so hard. I even got bullied for how i talked as well as everything else. When I would work they would have me handle the most aggressive costumers.

[@helpfulnotthehelp8778]

As a KPOP fan and follower of Korean Culture - I can tell you all that black culture has been in South Korea for almost 40 years . Groups like SES were wearing braids in the 90s as were any group that rapped - they wore dreads also. Many of the early producers actually lived or worked in the USA in the 90s - thats why they speak English - how d you all think BTS ended up in the USA fir American Hustle Life . So I can tell you absolutely no one is ignorant even kids and the elderly. I have talked with koreans in their 20- 90s and they know about black culture they just chose to act ignorant at certian times . If we were in the 1980s you could say people have ignorance but KPOP was born out of black culture - so no one should be acting brand new. decades and decades after you have embraced a culture.

[@nicoleraheem1195]

With consideration of your comment, I think what they are doing is called "gaslighting". Racist people have toxic qualities.

[@TraceySmith3563]

Of course they know...and Black people know. A lot of us got caught up in Kpop/Kdrama and are slow to release the delusion. As long as we can convince ourselves they "just don't know any better", despite knowing deep down it's a lie, we won't have to deal with the elephant in the room. It's a form of cognitive dissonance

[@helpfulnotthehelp8778]

@@nicoleraheem1195 The most successful racists are the ones that lie by omission of the truth and of course they are gaslighting. I have just finished putting clips together about racism in KPOP management especially in SM enterainment and I now truly realise how evil they have been.

[@GAXOOOOOTI]

@@helpfulnotthehelp8778 we dnt need ur input here old man stop obsessing over black people content i see u everywhere go away

[@AdeolaAsh]

@@GAXOOOOOTI for context, the person behind the original commenter’s account is a British Black woman, the man in her profile picture is not her 😅 if you go to her channel you’ll hear her talk

[@yin7099]

Im really glad you are talking about this

[@journeybeyondthesea]

Same!!

[@rpenguinboy]

we need to stop these ppl it's too much now

[@omggiiirl2077]

Tell sis. I'm half Black and Korean and I can tell you this is all true. Granted not all Koreans are this ignorant but it definitely goes on. They love everything about us except us. And they hate us mixed Black and Koreans even more. Once they got a taste of our culture they started practicing in mimicking us to an obsessive degree. It's why I don't really listen to K-pop because I find it offensive. Most of the things they mimic about our "culture" is not even our culture. I found it offensive how they think all of us act like vulgar, loud, ratchet, tattooed, constantly swearing, in your face, provocative criminals but never the side of us that are the successful, college attended, well spoken, highly intelligent, capable, highly educated confident self loving and Vlack and oroud people MOST of us are. And it seems this is the common behavior with everyone who loves to mimic what they think we are. When I see stuff like this I just get turned off and stop watching. It's also why I don't have many Asian friends except for my relatives. I still haven't watched squid game. I'm proud of being half Korean but not proud of the ratchet ass shet many love to do. It's disgusting. I really am grateful that my Mom refused to let me grow up there, because she knew how it is. It's gotten better and they are trying harder to improve but they have a LOT of work to do to impress me.

[@kaylalezine2295]

Squid game is a good show but holding her accountable while enjoying the show is how I handle it

[@gold9ja]

Were you born and raised in Nigeria

[@yessica5231]

Something that always rubs me the wrong way about apologies regardless the situation is "sorry that you were offended" "sorry if you were offended" and there's hardly any responsibility taken.

[@luahlu7152]

The truth is they just dont give AF! but when anyone criticizes or says anything bad about BTS they're the first to yell racism

[@lauren578]

Yep

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

And xenophobia. 💀

[@loliwinxedits6095]

i still can't fathom how literal african girls on tiktok that are blasian, khosian, somalian, nigerian ect are being accused of asian fishing for a literal eye shape that came from our people but wearing cornrows darkening their skin and stereotypically trying to act hood or badass while using our music is just normalised

[@notwerkinginthishouse8634]

@@loliwinxedits6095 Yeah,they literally began as hip hop group

[@marproperty1]

@@notwerkinginthishouse8634 exactly it's so ironic it's almost painful

[@monicacreator3168]

At this point, black people, we need to keep our culture to ourself

[@incaseyoumissedit8450]

Man…I just want a continent to ourselves where no entertainment or cultured is shared because shit is getting ridiculous

[@journeybeyondthesea]

WE DOOOOO

[@journeybeyondthesea]

@@incaseyoumissedit8450 Exactly 😭

[@jtwinny4105]

i say this all the time. i’m tired of letting other people in but we’re always so damn inclusive.

[@MJ-il5hl]

So much hypocrisy

[@ainmiky4620]

That Alex character 💀💀💀💀 PLSSS if any Asian-American dressed and acted like THAT in the States, they would get beat tf up 😂😂💀💀 they said he came from America but not only are Asians not too associated with gangs, no Asian gangster dresses like THAT. Very cringe.

[@mynamesbeans1573]

🤣

[@dwightk.schrute7495]

at this point they literally just don't care 🤦🏾‍♀. then the worst part is they then ask us to stop gatekeeping as if that would solve the issue.

[@confusionator0072]

I tried watching Penthouse because so many kpop idols I like kept praising the show and because of how popular it was. But I couldn’t even stand finishing the first season for many reasons with one of them being the distasteful use of black men. I genuinely wonder if any of these idols that were so obsessed with Penthouse ever reflected over this at all or if they simply agree with the idea that people of color are violent and intimidating

[@Mylesknox]

Alot of the fans of that show might agree with the idea that black people are aggressive and intimidating

[@zelda7059]

Every day hearing such stuff happening within south korea hurts me to the core. They don't even CARE how black people feel. As long as it benefits them, they don't feel like changing. And that's the problem. And what's heart wrenching, is seeing people defending these people's execrable actions. The problem is that these folks have become literal idols to the people who look up to them, and that means going to any lengths to justify what they do. Its a sad state of affairs that we can excuse despicable behaviour just because it is by someone we ‘admire'. The irony is that we do not know them personally and can only judge them by what they show to us, but even when they do something explicitly wrong, people try to defend them as though they are their very own loved ones. People fail to realise that the only thing they contribute with their undivided loyalty is the $$$$ in their bank accounts.

[@lee-annf9811]

This shows that racist people are miserable that they love treating black culture and black people like shit! Anyways, thank you Adeola for sharing your awesome videos! ♥️♥️♥️

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

We cannot get out their heads, it’s so disgusting.

[@kpopfan246]

It also showed how uncreative they are. This is the best way you can portray someone as dangerous? If you can’t writer decent characters, just say that. Oh, surface-level writing asses.

[@sleek4546]

The fact that these ppl go to a different country to get these hairstyles should be telling. I'm Nigerian, still living in Nigeria, and it pains me that ppl would be like "go to Africa they won't say it's CA to you" and I'm like you know why we won't. It's cause we can do these hairstyles anytime we want and even here we aren't still exempt from discrimination ( e.g it wasn't until recently that people could do dreadlocks comfortably in Nigeria, even men making their hair is still frowned upon though I'm happy more guys are doing it). Even that case of that girl from South Africa that could not wear her Afro to school.

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

Why does anti-black Hair discrimination exist in Nigeria? I never knew about this. Where can I learn more about this??

[@adetomiakintitan4980]

What part of Nigeria are you from because your experiences, especially when it comes to dreadlocks, are very different from mine. I was raised to believe locs are sacred and there’s even a traditional praise poetry for locs😭

[@sleek4546]

@@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024 I don't know if there are articles written but where I stay/from experience people look at some hairstyles weirdly e.g my sister and I did thread hair( it comes off look sort of like tree branches but bent) and people were telling me how I do odd hairstyles and my sister who is a law student was complimented but told she wouldn't be able to wear the hair in court. Even in secondary schools we are told to shave our hair for whatever reason ( in boarding schools not only in Nigeria but I also heard Ghana too) but other non-black persons can still carry their hair 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️ Like I said it may be different as it's my personal experience/what I've heard and some of what I've experienced may seem like it's not discrimination but to me and my sister and I'm guessing a bunch of other ppl we should be allowed to do what we want with our hair without being seen as "weird" or not "professional" enough to be worn.

[@sleek4546]

@@adetomiakintitan4980 I live in benue state. Some ppl here ( I guess?) still consider it "dirty" at least the locs with natural hair and not our twist and lock or even those artificial locs that are sewn in.

[@afrina7347]

@@adetomiakintitan4980 ah I'm Nigerian too and I grew up in Lagos and the locs discrimination here is bad especially on men

[@rs.9165]

SNL Korea often does blackface. This is incredibly common and at the core of the culture

[@sparkle-sims]

I didn’t even give Hoyeon the “hype” that she deserved because I just didn’t see anything that everybody else saw and I’m GLAD I didn’t and everybody is excusing her behavior because she’s pretty like NO talk about it😐

[@donniebelladonna4512]

here's why the hype: she's pretty and her character had a dubiously close relationship with another woman, which led a lot of wlw to push her fame even more. even i took part little bit of her fame bandwagon exactly because I'm a lesbian and hoyeon's face is very popular amongst wlw who enjoy pop culture and these types of media. anyways, i think that's why she blew up so fast

[@ErinaSato]

​@@donniebelladonna4512 this whole shit is so weird people need to stop fetishizing pretty women, it's so gross

[@Faye-Jane]

It’s sad that she’s not apologising for the CA, but I’m not surprised. It shows true colours in a way. I do like her but she should’ve acknowledged it by taking the time to apologise not deleting it. But it wouldn’t work since she obviously doesn’t care. I mean she deleted it, isn’t that enough to tell us that she couldn’t give a fūck? Sad to see my fav doing that :/

[@Faye-Jane]

I hope no one bashes me for saying this lol. I may seem aggressive in here.

[@dontcare8520]

@@Faye-Jane no,you're right to say this because as a black person myself. She should've known better and apologize and we don't care if she likes the culture because she should know that she shouldn't wear those hairstyles at all.

[@cheerupbaby7792]

Wait you still like her? Seriously-

[@Faye-Jane]

@@cheerupbaby7792 Well that’s before I knew what she has done. Idk but she’s good at acting and everything but I’m not as cool with as I was before. The Reason is because apparently she’s deleting comments of people holding her accountable. That’s a major sign to me already.

[@Taylorc0de]

@@cheerupbaby7792 well you cannot do anything about it. Do you??

[@rani-pi9kv]

I'm from Bali. Cornrow (kepang kelabang) and dreadlocks (gimbal) is really common here especially around the Kuta beach even there are people offering you back to back on the street. It has been a huge part of tourism. Sadly we don't give black people the credit they deserve. I don't think that us Balinese even realise cornrow belongs to black people. On behalf of my people, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

[@lilyryeo2676]

not just Bali but the Philippines too

[@afrina7347]

Wow

[@dontcare8520]

Thats disgusting

[@jmqi8]

not the "it's like candy" instrumental playing while she getting cornrows too 😒

[@icednamericano]

They definitely knew what they were doing 🙄

[@wano_ZA]

Ima say this again, BLACK PEOPLE NEED TO START ESTABLISHING THEIR OWN COMPANIES THAT POTRAY US IN THE RIGHT WAY!!!!!

[@Faye-Jane]

Time stamp 10:24 “Admiring the culture” but showing a negative side of it? Is it really admiring it? It isn’t even culture, it’s stereotypes that we black people have to deal with. If someone puts that on their apology again while filling in on the stereotypes I’m simply gonna laugh.

[@mimiandy1683]

Not too long ago, a video was recommended to me by KZbin. It was an Asian Boss video and it was a news report about the #CancelKorea hashtag and about TikTok star Bella Poarche. Bella, a Filipina-American, got into some controversy because of a tattoo.Koreans thought it was a tattoo of the Japanese Naval Battle Flag. Well anyway, there were comments by Koreans. They were offended about Bella’s tattoo. They said that she should’ve known better and she should’ve known their history. Not going to lie… I immediately thought of that excuse that is used in K-Pop stan circles.

[@Musician_2002_]

It’s always the same conversations. It’s sad that I sometimes have to take breaks from consuming Korean culture honestly bc it’s so disgusting and shameful. It’s like how can I appreciate Korean culture when they don’t appreciate black culture at all.

[@QueenZiana]

I feel the same way I just feel uncomfortable and weird because I love their language and culture and love learning other cultures to. Yet they don’t respect or wanna learn about mine but wanna wear it for their aesthetic or whatever it’s weird. Yet they experience racism and cultural appropriation but do the same thing to other cultures ESPECIALLY to black people a lot.

[@angel47-glt]

You’re so right about penthouse. I commented about the blatant inappropriate use of violence in the beginning of season 2 when I saw it while watching on Viki and they took down my comment. Well‼️I stopped watching Penthouse from that day-Also it was getting on my nerves 😟 the continuous regurgitation 😡😡

[@AdeolaAsh]

Viki is a service you have to pay for right?

[@angel47-glt]

@@AdeolaAsh sure-I was so taken aback‼️

[@AdeolaAsh]

@@angel47-glt that’s so sad that they took down your comment despite you being a paying customer

[@jessicawaitheragathecha337]

Some of the comments of 'Black people' saying "I'm BlAcK and there's nothing wrong with this" these people piss me off, cause they are being inconsiderate of others

[@seokiology]

“Give the benefit of the doubt that alex appearance was rather a character approach who admired the character” this sounds so passive aggressive 💀

[@feb4305]

Brb gonna tape my eyes upwards and speak with an accent to play a Korean character, and portray them as dumb or loud, let's see how many people agree to that being admiration

[@jiminxbts4880]

@feb 💀💀😂

[@Muahaha651]

Someone on Twitter said all these kpop guys got that black auntie haircut and now I can’t unsee it

[@mimiandy1683]

It's true! SHINee is one group that copied every damn look from off of those posters that can be found in mostly every black salon.

[@eleniOG]

this is insane! In kdrama's they definitely focus on every small details. They KNOW what they are doing...

[@sashadj458]

This is embarrassing 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@tabkaliO]

For them!

[@joydot.dot.dot.8040]

I’m honestly surprised about everything. Penthouse was so popular and I’m surprised I haven’t heard about this before (I never watched it) but it’s specific use of black people only for violent scenes just shows how Korea views black people although it’s abundant use of our culture. That actor knew his character had dreads to depict him as violent he just wanted to save face and not get fired. Lana (the matrix sister) is known for being racist too so the fact she’s getting credit for black hairstyles is infuriating and exactly the reason why other races can’t wear black hairstyles, because it ends up just being a “style” and credit is given to everyone BUT black people. We also end up still getting backlash for the same hairstyles

[@zimzalabimdenickimenajzala2003]

Yeah all i saw was people hyping up her red braids and i was confused

[@samiawilliams9117]

I am so happy to see Adeola is making a new video. I love when she takes on these topics ❤️

[@auroraborealis7549]

The litteral URGE to show Black people as violent , MULTIPLE times is crazy 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️they know what they doin

[@mylahbear10593]

I’m guess another ones coming next year. They don’t care unless there’s profit and w black ppl and black culture there’s always profit.

[@Georgeorwell9260]

Penthouse was straight up racism.. stereotypes, caricatures and all.. like wtaf.. idec abt the cultural appropriation because that shit was so blatantly racist.. the hairstyle and such ain’t even my main grief WTAF

[@chanelt9179]

I don’t know what to do anymore, there so much racism in the world. This is sad and depressing. I wish people can just get along and there will be no more racism.

[@rosalynelippington]

Why does the Asian community have such a big anti-blackness problem? (I'm Asian myself)

[@AdeolaAsh]

I’m not sure. Why does the world have an anti-blackness problem 😭😭 I ask myself this question pretty often, I haven’t figured out an answer yet

[@Aurelian369_]

It’s an unholy combination of colonialism and classism

[@mimiandy1683]

Another thing that I am noticing: the "originality" in South Korean entertainment culture. It's like they've taken the same creative storyline tropes from the West and just added it on to their projects.

[@latenight11]

Wow, I’m new to K-pop and seeing more and more of this racism over the years is saddening. I find it ironic bts is coming to America to discuss anti Asian issues. When come to find out Korea Is very racist and they’ve even been guilty of racist behavior

[@kanalichishi82]

I'm not black but it must be so tiring for black fans 😢

[@denisebrown2994]

Again with all black culture labels as African American, is just as hurtful! Can they not learned otherwise just don’t touch. Ps to Koreans dreadlocks are from Jamaica 🇯🇲, the Caribbean and there are black people all over the world 🌎. I am so over the racism coming out of South Korea entertainment industry, this is why I am not watching much like before. Why are black people taking on these roles in Asia, haven’t we learned and grown beyond this stereotype yet? The novelty is burning 🔥 out now. @adeloa you are a champ and we want you to know we appreciate you and every video you creates

[@ThinkingWoman30]

Or we complain and they tell us we’re being too sensitive or that’s just an American issue. I’m so sick of fighting with people over this.

[@siakobba6941]

The problem is that, the moment they realize they've done wrong they will fake an apology and do it again🤥

[@annebanga5832]

I keep hearing empty apologies with no action of improvement

[@redrooster3420]

I hope more people watch this video and take note. This is so important. Thank you for your work.

[@offlicense6097]

Thinking about that one scene in miss and mrs. cops when they went to a tatto parlour saw a black man and thought he was a criminal and all the other side criminals in the movie were black and south asian And then in rain and shine in the first episode one of the supporting characters gets scared when a black man walks past him-🧍🏿‍♀️ Or in strong girl bongsoon in one of the later episodes the main character made fan of an african country ( that im from - uganda) and he added gorilla sounds as a way of mocking idk if i was being sensitive but that was a litteral turn off 4 me and i couldn't finish the show cus it made me feel so weird ' how did grown people sit in a room and write this' 'why would that be funny' etc there are so many examples

[@Yuyu-fu7zk]

You weren’t being sensitive it’s literally offensive and disrespectful. I keep losing interest in kdrama’s because of the racist representation of my culture (im black too) it’s really annoying but we can’t do anything abt it bcs they obv don’t care

[@lizajameson7339]

Oof, I am also from Uganda. Damn!

[@zannys5133]

Which charater are you talking about in bongsoon

[@offlicense6097]

@@zannys5133 omg im sorry i saw this late but its Min-Hyuk i can looks for the clip when it happened i'll put it here

[@SmartArtzzz]

It’s the cognitive dissonance in Korean culture that I find bold af. They love African American culture and commodify the f out it yet are actively racist….like…it’s beyond a reflection of the kind of racism endemic to North America. Bold af behavior.

[@mimiandy1683]

The hilarious thing to me is reading comments from K-Pop fans, who feared "the west" will "colonize," capitalized and exploit the K-Pop music industry. Yet these same people will tell offended black people that we can't "gatekeep rap music" and "cultures are meant to be shared" so we should be happy that these asses have cornrows and box braids. "It'S aPpReCiATiOn!!!"

[@yzkkoch479]

It always confused me, wasn’t Alex supposed to be a gangster or ‘delinquent’ type character they could’ve gone for a different approach 💀 there are literally so many other ways.

[@marproperty1]

LITERALLY THO, they could've given him slick back hair and a leather jacket but nooo

[@Lee-tl9xo]

For me personally (a black person) for hair, I don't mind if they use the hair styles, that's fine for me, what I do mind is others of my race getting attacked for it. That's being a hypocrite and biased. And don't get me started on the portrayal of black people because we would be here all day.

[@dontcare8520]

They shouldn't use the hairstyles at all. Don't matter if they're trying to respect it or not. It's not for them and not for their hair.

[@marshae.theteacher]

About a week ago, I saw a snippet from Running Man (Korea) and they were playing one of their quiz games where the answer was Martin Luther King, Jr. the K-pop/K-entertainment fan community, all these years, has had me thinking that they just had absolutely no idea about black culture or history. After that situation, I refuse to let anything slide. I know they know and we know they know. Please stop trying to use the ignorance card. Especially not after that GLOBAL BLM protest.

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

MLK is so powerful and influential. Ugh, I Stan him. Black people are literally so powerful, yet so disrespected, especially women.

[@mimiandy1683]

K-Pop stans love to bring up the time when there was a BLM protest in South Korea, how their idols donated to BLM or put #BLM hashtag on an IG post. Ah, yeah, it was easy for them to do that because there’s no skin off of their backs. No was going to get in trouble. As long as they didn’t piss off their Korean fan bases, everything was okay.

[@FoxxyFatima]

Were there any noticeable groups or soloists? If so, I need their names!

[@marshae.theteacher]

@@mimiandy1683 Honestly.. most of it was performative activism. Because some of the idols went right on back to their same cultural appropriating selves right after the protest.

[@a.d.w8385]

They know, they just don't care.

[@anitak8283]

I'm black, and I remember watching The Penthouse, and the first time Alex was introduced my reaction was "wtf?" Usually i'm not necessarily offended when it comes to hairstyles and stuff, but this is where the line was crossed for me. And the Blaccent? Please, your telling me Park Eunseok thought (even after been basically raised in the US) that this was okay? Nahh, that aint right in any way. I could never look at Alex and feel comfortable, it's just wrong.

[@imnotsure4864]

Honestly so annoying and rude. They expect all the respect especially when they go overseas, as if they are that great.

[@FaithNKuria]

They look horrible with these hairstyles, scary And now they've started making afrobeat

[@violetthamoon]

Thank you Adeola for talking up about CA and racistsm in kdrama. I feel like no one doing this and you did it. Ignorance is not a reason that allowed you to be racist or did culture appropriation. And it's not even ignorance. Its a choice to be ignorant to anything that isn't in front of them. How korean internet and technology is developed, but their mineset is undeveloped. I get but for such a developed country that level of ignorance shouldn't be encouraged. I understand because the media really potrays a stereotypical version of that country unless they are very educated about it. It is really irritating on how koreas potrays other culture and countries including mine in an very disgusting outdated stereotypical manner. I assume that they aren't really adapted to the outside media that fast. This has to change in this industry about their mindset towards other countries in a faster pace but that wouldn't change unless the korean media wanted to. How much will anyone be enlightened if things like this still happen even as woke as the world to be. It's sad really, I love kdramas but as soon as they make stupidity about any culture or religion, I drop the series no matter how interesting it is. They need to do research if they want to represent apart of other culture and religion, I hate how they represent Islam in some of their shows, they really making fun and joke to mock it. One thing that i don't like about the Korean media and entertainment industry is their perception of Africa. I feel like in this day you can't be ignorant about the rest of the world. No matter how conservative that nation or individual is. I watched He is Psychometric and I was so irritated by this line " do you think I'd read the African picking coffee beans if I touched this or what" if you have watched it you'd understand. It's the same as assume that Africans live in huts when Africa actually so evolved as a continent. The media entertainment representation is especially not allowed to be that ignorant. I hate the stereotype in the entertainment , its awful no matter how conservative that nation is. Like, before this penhouse is one of my fav kdrama and uh, they had really vile racist scenes & unnecessary character that we correctly and unfortunately predicted they'd remove his dreads off at the end to show & he 'apologize' to "changed for the better" . It's makes them so stupid, especially when it's comes in form of entertainment. This representation needs to be stopped.

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

Thank you for the entertainment bashing. People need to know that entertainment literally cannot be conservative. It has to be progressive, like top notch progressive, no matter what country you’re in. Korea is so mf ignorant.

[@areeba7045]

wait there's kdramas that mock islam too?? can u tell me which ones??

[@areeba7045]

nvm i just searched it up and found a kdrama called man who dies to live and mannn

[@violetthamoon]

​@@areeba7045 sorry for the late reply, there's another too it was called protect the boss

[@mutelarsorhougbe4606]

Adeola- I LOVE your videos! Such well crafted points that take in every part of the situation! Really you have helped me to up my standards and NOT take ANY form or excuse of ignorance at all. Every video -Gbas gbos! Keep doing what you’re doing because people’s eyes are being opened and hopefully hearts changed as they think some more. And it’s definitely way more in number than the asinine people leaving hate comments to try and defend ‘faves’ they don’t know.

[@herstorylives7405]

Thank you for your excellent fact-checking, analysis and presentation. I am sad that in 2021 there are so many us still taking these degrading roles. What's so special about K-Dramas (or South Korea) that Blacks feel they have to take these roles??? I don't understand it...especially for a generation that claims to be "Woke".

[@mimiandy1683]

What interests me is the reasoning behind African-Americans leaving United States because of racism (🙂 Alright. That makes sense) and moving to an Asian country like South Korea, where the black population is very low. And they don’t have a lot of discrimination laws and honorifics can be a bitch, if you have nightmarish supervisors. Why not a city in an African country?

[@FoxxyFatima]

@@mimiandy1683 Those particular African Americans believe in POC unity or that they can snatch themsepves up a Jennie or Taehyung, like many delusional K-pop fans.

[@mcsamorez6678]

Talking about using black people for portraying bad characters or giving them bad roles to play isn’t only applicable to K-drama’s. I think Indian movies too sits firmly on this same table. I’ve never for once seen black person being used for a good role in the Indian movie industry. Shame on all of them 👎🏿👎🏿👎🏿

[@joy0953]

As an Indonesian I felt ashamed that some salon in here still keep this hairstyle without knowing the origin

[@CatarinaMangel]

I love K-Pop and South Korean variety shows but at the same time it's difficult to support them in general because of how they treat other cultures, specially black people and black culture in general. It makes me very sad because, again, i love their entertainment but it is true that they need to understand and respect the different cultures in the world instead of giving in to stereotypes because i know they would feel hurt if it was done to them. SMH

[@Itsaliyahha]

Honestly, I have been waiting for you to cover the penthouse cultural appropriation. As much as we love kdramas, it has its own wahala (trouble/ problem)attached to it which includes cultural appropriation as well as representation. Also, I was not aware of hoyeon jung and backstreet cultural appropriation but it is good that you covered that too. Thank you

[@jtwinny4105]

pretends to be shocked. this is becoming so desensitizing that i have no reaction anymore.

[@k-popclub9927]

Why cant it be jus normal widout mocking or upsetting anyone, this is so sick n sad wth.

[@dontcare8520]

They still cant wear out hairstyles even if it was without upsetting us.

[@nelsonwilkins347]

Keep their own hair

[@Nani-0613]

Non black celebs have the option to say no when it comes to doing something racist or cultural appropriation. The entertainment and modeling as a whole know that doing things like blackface , doing black , indigenous, Hispanic/Latino hairstyles wearing the clothes or joking about the language isn't okay even if it's just an aesthetic or look for fashion. A lot of these people have a big following from POC and yes we will be offended, I don't understand how people can say or do something and not think hmm will this offend or piss people off Why do black people in Korean media or in the entertainment industry as thugs or just like aggressive loud and yeah just a negative toxic way. I saw a picture of the penthouse and yeah it was not okay. Thing alike this are intentional and meant to mock/piss us off knowing we get triggered by soecif things people love doing it then saying we didn't know it was wrong. Kpop idols saying the N word, being racist, doing blackface and culture appropriation then when they get called out they said well it's in the song, everyone does it etc... I'm calling out Hyoyon Gidle Hwasa Sorn CLC Amber So many have been doing it since early 00s and it hadn't stopped no matter how much we comment on it. Then you have the black people who don't feel offended and day we love that you appreciate our culture and like to dress like us My thing is if Asian people get offended when someone does something cringy related to anime Korea blues or like stretches the eyes or something they get offended but we can get offended when we say hey that's culture appreciation hey that's racist hey you cant say the N word What's is worst is knowing when the person is from NY/NJ Cali ATL Chicago or been around black people and in a country where racism is very high . As another POC who do something racist

[@sheshisflowertea2134]

It's sad how our image is represented by some of the Korean in their shows, but also as black people we need to refuse playing such roles in acting, to make them take us seriously

[@SabiChan8]

It really hurts to see Korean brothers and sisters being naive about black culture. None black people are trying to keep the image of black people as aggressive and dangerous, when we aren’t. A lot of the places suffer from white washing and think it’s cool to continue to abuse a race of people simply because they think they are similar to the abusers in skin color. It breaks my heart truly. Black/African people are beautiful and should be seen as such. Africa is the heart of the world, and it shames me to see the amount of disrespect she receives from the other nations and countries that blossomed from her. Curly hair, no matter how thick or thin is beautiful. The darker the skin the sweeter. It doesn’t make sense seeing people who are racist want to look like us, and dress like us, and put on a false identity to wear a stereotype that mocks us, but still not accept us. Is it not backwards thinking? I’m asking everyone here… does this not seem backward to you? Make it make sense. What about being racist to a human of different color makes you feel good about yourself? Hate towards people you don’t know and never met. I can only hope more Asian brothers and sisters correct their thinking and attitude about it. Especially when Korea has been known to go through the same exact pain is black people around the world. And all Asian people still experience racism like black people do when it comes from white (none Asian, none Black/Afican, none Hispanic/Latino) people. Make it makes sense.

[@mindingminesx]

that alex shit was a minstrel show! i was so pissed, they should’ve had him come in on some vincenzo shit!!!

[@kalkidanefekadu1925]

I hate it when they are sorry every time after as if they don't even know before doing it as an african girl i want everyone to stand we have our own culture and we want them to respect it

[@a.d.w8385]

People always defend the cultural appropriation of black people by saying that other cultures have had locs and braids for centuries to. Granted, there is historical truth to this. Some Asian cultures, Indigenous cultures, white cultures and so on all have people whom have locked hair and braided hair. However, if you look at the styles, they don't look.anything like the styles often appropriated. Now. I dont really have a problem with people wearing black hairstyles. I have a problem with people acting like the styles be done weren't inspired by black people. Or when they do so in a disrespectful way. S.Korea for example clearly has a prejudice problem towards black people but kpop copies the shit out of 90s and 2000s R&B from black people. Yet the people and the culture has a big problem with actually respecting the people of that culture. So if you can't properly respect people and their culture, then it's just decent to keep your hands off it. No one can force non black people to not wear these styles. Since it's their bodies. But I don't get why they are so inclined to keep up the disrespect.

[@devannyblanco3309]

I'm glad the thai actress who plays yuri in "girl from nowhere" made a sincere apology. I hope to see the same to korean actors. ASIAN AMERICANS EDUCATE THEM

[@lesedimodise3512]

What was her apology

[@pinkbunnyy]

Just another reason for me to not watch penthouse. I had many reasons before now to not watch the show. As a black person myself this is the cherry on top of a very dirty cake.

[@mei-wx7yh]

squid game's overhyped, i said what i said

[@claudiawoods4382]

Thanks for this excellent piece, Adeola. I really like the detail and thoroughness of your analysis. Keep it up. You bring valuable insights to the table. Thanks also for continuing to support Sam Okyere's channel. All the best! Happy Holidays!! 💖💯💖

[@emilybutler8159]

Great video, thank you so much. Especially like how you point out the direct correlation between negative stereotypes on screen and the impact on black and brown people in real life.

[@valeryfil7469]

I haven't watched Penthouse yet (and probably never will). But from what you included in your video it's so obvious. I'm white, so ,for sure, don't have rights and knowledge to speak about racism and cultural appropriation. But they obviously used black people just to show violence. When almost all your characters of the same job (who doing something bad) are one race, you just can't deny that And thank you for the video. I'm not the target audience of your channel, but you helped me to open my eyes on the subject. So thank you

[@ItzSellaa]

SBS really don’t give a damn😑🤚🏽that’s fucked up

[@hope-cat4894]

20:10 Oh my gosh, that's some _old_ school racism. They took it back to the 1920s, for Pete's sake. Do they not have wikipedia? 😑

[@helpfulnotthehelp8778]

The more people like yourself and myself make videos on race, culture and etnicity the better as it will eventually sink in

[@MindlessCeCeDGIT]

Another great video, keep them coming Adeola 👏🏾

[@ana_compasso]

omg i didnt saw you made a new video! as always the video is very good thank you so much for your hard work i hope people can wake up seeing this

[@helpfulnotthehelp8778]

on the same page - I have done a video on cultural appropriation , black fishing and appreciation etc, Also I have been putting people staright about black representation - people can always find us to play villains, fillers and clowns but somehow they struggle to make us heroes, And we have to keep at them until they get the message correct. If I would not wear a hanbok to dance on a pole you should not be wearing braids as a Korean to do this, African culture is not the worlds ghetto and we have to keep telling people until they get the message

[@seokiology]

Hi!!! U look so cute in ur pfp 💖

[@AdeolaAsh]

Hi!! Thanks ♥️♥️♥️

[@Georgeorwell9260]

Jinnniiieeee

[@seokiology]

@@Georgeorwell9260 yes he was so cute at the ptd concert!!!

[@lamidifeyi9886]

Im done with kpop, we should ditch all of them

[@thema1998]

2022 has already started in South Korea. I wouldn't be surprised if one of these incidents happened again real soon! 😒

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

Thank you for talking about this and going beyond K-music, love this!😍 East Asians are the white people of Asia! Their people even say it themselves.

[@ojofrank9394]

Men..these people keep hating us for no reason, it's not fair

[@hatehumans9206]

As a brown person I wish all these things to end... every skin and culture is beautiful it should be treated that way.