Kim Heechul Finally Addresses Backlash Over His Flag Apology, Shuts Down “Political” Accusations
Super Junior’s Kim Heechul, who previously criticized an Incheon Liberation Day banner for appearing to show the Korean flag upside down, then admitted his mistake and apologized, has now directly addressed the “political controversy” that followed.
Heechul stated that his concerns about the flag and voting rights were not meant to support or oppose any particular political side, firmly asking, “Why is left and right even coming into this?”
On August 11th, he posted a lengthy message on social media titled, “I have a question.”
He began by writing, “I understand those of you who were angry, asking why I suddenly apologized a few days ago,” adding, “I get it, since I beat around the bush too much about what I meant.”
Referring to the backlash over his criticism of the flag banner, he asked, “Did I take a side, left or right, and oppose the other?” and continued, “Isn’t it normal to be upset seeing an upside-down flag over and over? Aren’t we all citizens of the same Korea?”
He was especially firm in rejecting political interpretations of his remarks: “I only brought up the upside-down flag and voting rights, so why does left and right suddenly come into this? This isn’t Oompa Loompa.”
He added, “Just talking about the election commission, voting rights, or election fraud, in a country where we’re free to choose, whether I hold up one finger or two, do the Nico Nico Nii pose, wear red or blue clothes, or take a photo in pink, I don’t understand why people get so sensitive about it and attack each other,” continuing, “But this is different, of course I’m upset when I’m not even given the chance to choose.”
Heechul also shared the story of his late grandfather, who was separated from his family during the Korean War. “I loved my late grandfather very much,” he wrote. “He was separated from his family during the Korean War and left alone at a very young age, becoming part of a family torn apart by the war.” He added, “There’s no way I could ever like the North Korean regime that invaded the South.”
He closed by writing, “Before I’m a celebrity who gets both love and hate from you all, I’m a lovable Korean who was born in Gangwon Province.”
Earlier, Incheon put up a commemorative banner on August 6th for the 81st Liberation Day, featuring the phrase “The Day the Light Returned” alongside an image of an independence activist holding the Korean flag with both hands. Criticism spread on social media that the flag appeared upside down; Heechul commented “That’s insane” on a related post, while fellow member Choi Siwon also left a Korean flag emoji.
Incheon City explained the flag was depicted from a low angle looking up at the activist waving it, arguing the design was correctly portrayed once the viewer’s position and angle were accounted for. As the controversy spread, the city took the banner down on August 8th, and Heechul apologized, admitting his judgment had been mistaken, saying at the time, “I know it must be baffling to see an apology just a day later, but I was in the wrong,” acknowledging he had judged based solely on the flag’s pattern without recognizing the pose and composition of the person holding it.
Following his apology, political interpretations and heated debate continued online, prompting Heechul to post a second lengthy statement directly addressing the controversy.
Source: (A)
