Hong Seok-cheon to Heo Ji-woong, harsh criticism of Baejae High School amid.. JK Kim Dong-wook alone "Let's go" excessive support [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

As criticism continues to mount against Baejae High School's baseball team for its mocking cheers reminiscent of the the 18th Democratic Uprising, Canadian singer JK Kim Dong-wook took a contrasting stance with statements in support.

The controversy erupted during the 81st Cheongryong Cup National High School Baseball Championship held at Seoul Mokdong Baseball Stadium on the 29th of last month. At the time, some Baejae High players chanted slogans such as "Let's go, let's go, Starbucks, let's go" toward the opposing dugout.

The cheers drew criticism for evoking recent controversies surrounding Starbucks Korea's "the 18th Tank Day" event and for trivializing the the 18th Democratic Uprising. The situation escalated when videos of players dancing to the chants spread widely, sparking public outrage.

As the controversy grew, Baejae High School issued an apology via its official website on the same day. The school stated, "We sincerely apologize for causing deep hurt and disappointment to Gwangju Jeil High School's team members, parents, alumni, and many citizens of Gwangju due to inappropriate cheers by some student athletes."

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education also launched an investigation into Baejae High School. Additionally, the Korea Baseball and Softball Association convened its Sports Fair Trade Commission and decided on a six-month suspension from national tournaments.

Furthermore, the baseball variety program "Bulkkot Baseball2" canceled all broadcasts featuring Baejae High School. Studio C1, the production company, announced on the 1st that "the production team took the recent issues involving Baejae High School very seriously," leading to this decision.

Celebrities also voiced their opinions on the Baejae High controversy. Broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon said, "I was honestly surprised when I heard the cheering from Baejae High students while watching the news. I thought they shouldn't be doing that." He added, "It seems like the best apology these students can make at their age would be to travel to Gwangju, talk with Gwangju Jeil High students, apologize, and return after sharing a meal with Gwangju's warm mothers. I believe the Gwangju Jeil High students will accept that apology. It is important to study history accurately."

Actor Han Jung-soo also stated, "This Baejae High incident is not merely a problem for children alone," pointing out that "the mockery of history and hatred prevalent in the daily lives of teenagers are severely damaging this country."

Writer Heo Ji-woong similarly remarked, "May's Gwangju and Jeolla Province remain objects of ridicule. Children who do not know history consume them as memes. They view attempts to stop this as suppression. Even without context, they see Gwangju as a natural underdog."

Additionally, Korean history instructor Choi Tae-sung said, "This makes me urgently reflect on where South Korea's education is heading. I feel deeply ashamed myself."

In contrast, JK Kim Dong-wook maintained a different position. He wrote, "They really got scratched," and defended the situation by stating, "Why are they blowing up a minor incident that occurred during kids' baseball? The extreme leftists who mark coordinates must stop their misdeeds. It's time for such trashy sentiments to disappear."

He did not stop there. On the 2nd, he publicly cheered on his SNS, writing, "The regime is shorter than your future. Baejae, let's go."

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*This content was translated by AI.