Im Ho, It Turns Out He's the President of the Pai-Chai High School Alumni Association: "Let's Go to Starbucks" — Visits Baseball Team and Gwangju Jeil High School, Bows Head in Apology [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Im Ho, serving as president of the Pai-Chai High School alumni association (hereinafter Pai-Chai High), issued an apology regarding the controversy over derogatory regional chants by the school's baseball team.

On the 6th, Im Ho published an apology statement through Mudeung Ilbo, a daily newspaper in Jeollanam-do.

Im Ho stated, "We sincerely apologize for causing deep hurt due to the inappropriate cheering displayed by Pai-Chai High baseball students during the recent Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship."

He further added, "The students' actions were clearly wrong, and the responsibility for failing to prevent such misconduct and instill proper values lies not only with the school but also with alumni seniors."

Im Ho also promised, "We will not treat this incident as a mere mistake or deviation. Instead, we will use it as an opportunity for thorough reflection and self-examination, providing continuous support so that students can grow into Pai-Chai High members who embody respect, community spirit, proper sportsmanship, and sound character."

He concluded by saying, "As adults and alumni seniors, we fully recognize our responsibility and will lead the change to ensure such incidents never happen again, fulfilling our duty to the school until the end."

On that day, Im Ho was reported to have visited Gwangju Jeil High School (hereinafter Gwangju Jeil High) along with Pai-Chai High baseball students in his capacity as president of the alumni association.

Approximately 80 people, including Im Ho, Pai-Chai High students, faculty, staff, and parents, bowed their heads while delivering an official apology at Gwangju Jeil High's auditorium regarding the the 18th Democratic Uprising. Following this, officials from Pai-Chai High, led by Im Ho, visited the National the 18th Democratic Cemetery to pay respects and reflected on the meaning and value of the the 18th Democratic Uprising.

Meanwhile, during the match between Pai-Chai High and Gwangju Jeil High at the 81st Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship held on June 29 at Seoul Mokdong Baseball Stadium, some Pai-Chai High players sparked controversy by chanting "Gaya-ji gaya-ji, Starbucks gaya-ji" (Let's go, let's go, Let's go to Starbucks) toward the opposing team's dugout during the game.

Some pointed out that this chant resembled recent controversies surrounding Starbucks Korea's event, which was accused of distorting and belittling the the 18th Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

Last month on the 18th, Starbucks faced criticism for using phrases such as "Tank Day" and "Desk's 'Tak'" in a tumbling cup sales event, allegedly mocking the the 18th Democratic Uprising and the torture-to-death case of martyr Park Jong-cheol.

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*This content was translated by AI.