'Let's go to Starbucks' Chanted by Baejae High, Paying the Price for Mockery..Broadcast Cancelled, Flood of Criticism "Should Have Apologized in Gwangju" [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

/>The fallout from the controversy over Baejae High School baseball team's regionally derogatory cheer slogan is intensifying.

/>Studio C1, the producer of 'Bulkkot Baseball', announced on the 1st via its official YouTube channel, "We have taken the recent issue concerning Baejae High School very seriously," and "We have decided not to broadcast the 'Baejae High School' episode scheduled for July 6." It further stated, "We will return with the 'Seongnam High School' episode on July 13 at 8 p.m." and asked for viewers' understanding.

/>Baejae High School faced off against Bulkkot Fighters at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 7th of last month, and the game was broadcast live. Although an edited version was expected to be released, it was ultimately cancelled due to the recent controversy.

/>The controversy erupted during a match against Gwangju Jeil High School at the 81st Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship held at Seoul Mokdong Baseball Stadium on the 29th of last month. At the time, some Baejae High School players were captured shouting toward the opposing dugout, "Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks," sparking the controversy.

/>Some pointed out that the cheer slogan recalled the recent controversy surrounding Starbucks Korea's 'May 18 Tank Day' event. Earlier, Starbucks faced criticism for trivializing the May 18 Democratic Uprising and the torture-to-death case of the late martyr Park Jong-chul by using phrases like 'Tank Day' and 'Table's Desk' in a tumbling giveaway event on May 18.

/>As the controversy grew, Baejae High School posted an apology on its website on the same day. The school stated, "We sincerely apologize for causing deep hurt and disappointment to the Gwangju Jeil High School team, parents, alumni, and many Gwangju citizens due to the inappropriate cheer slogan by some student-athletes." The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education also launched an investigation into Baejae High School.

/>Criticism also followed in the entertainment industry regarding this controversy. Actor Hong Seok-cheon posted a post and video titled "My Thoughts on How to Apologize" on his SNS on the 1st, sharing his experience of learning about the May 18 Democratic Uprising in a distorted manner during his childhood.

/>Hong Seok-cheon said, "Until I graduated from high school, I believed that 'Reds in Gwangju started a rebellion and the military suppressed them with force.' When I faced the truth after coming to Seoul, I was shocked, and I felt sad learning about Gwangju's pain." He continued, "Honestly, I was surprised hearing the cheer slogans from Baejae High School students. I believe that the best apology they could make at that age would be for the students to go directly to Gwangju, meet with Gwangju Jeil High School students, apologize, and have a meal with the warm mothers of Gwangju. It is important to study history accurately."

/>Korean history instructor and broadcaster Choi Tae-seong also left a significant message. He said, "The Baejae Academy, which opened the dawn of modern scholarship in our country, promoted service as its motto," and shared a photo of a stele engraved with the Baejae Academy's motto. He added, "Seeing what is happening these days, shouldn't we, including our older generation, seriously reflect on where South Korea's education is heading? I am deeply ashamed of myself."

/>Actor Han Jeong-soo also expressed concern, stating, "This Baejae High School incident is not simply a problem for the children alone," and "The problem of Ilbe-style historical mockery and hatred, which is widely spread in the daily lives of children in their 10s and 20s, is severely damaging this country."

/>Writer So Jae-won also pointed out, "Did the Baejae High School baseball team only swing bats and throw balls without receiving any history education?" and "The May 18 incident can never be a subject of mockery."

/>He continued, "The history where military boots ruthlessly spilled citizens' blood on this land is not yet an ended story. With the living witnesses of history still alive, how can mockery even be conceivable?" He criticized, "It is chillingly frightening and sad that the blood shed for democracy could become a subject of mockery." He added, "I hope they definitely reflect on their actions and convey sincere apologies and regret."

/>In contrast, singer JK Kim Dong-wook revealed a different perspective. He said, "They got properly scratched. Are they blowing up a minor incident that occurred during kids' baseball like this? The atrocities of the extreme left setting coordinates, it's time for that trashy sentiment to disappear," making remarks that seemed to defend the Baejae High School baseball team.

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*This content was translated by AI.