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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

Baejae High School's 'Starbucks' taunts spark outrage from Gwangju Jeil High School

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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- Students from Baejae High School taunted opponents from Gwangju Jeil High School during a baseball game with chants referencing Starbucks and

A dispute has erupted between two high school baseball teams after students from Baejae High School allegedly taunted their opponents from Gwangju Jeil High School during a national championship game. The taunts, which included chants of "Let's go to Starbucks" and exclamations of "Tank Day!", were reportedly heard during the 8th inning of the game on August 29th at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Seoul.

Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks.

โ€” Baejae High School studentsReported chant during the 8th inning of the baseball game.

Coaches from Gwangju Jeil High School protested the chants, with one reportedly shouting, "Stop it, you [expletive]! Why go to Starbucks?" The Baejae High School players reportedly ceased the chants after the protest. However, video evidence appears to show multiple players participating in the "Starbucks" chant, contradicting a subsequent apology from Baejae High School that suggested it was the act of a single student.

Tank Day!

โ€” Baejae High School studentsReported exclamation during the baseball game.

Gwangju Jeil High School has formally protested the incident, submitting a letter of complaint to the Korea Baseball Softball Association. Principal Lee Gyu-yeon stated that the school cannot overlook the behavior, especially given recent societal controversies. He emphasized that such hateful and demeaning language is unacceptable in an educational setting and urged the association to prohibit similar chants in all future competitions. The school also requested that educational measures be implemented for players, coaches, and spectators, with corresponding sanctions for any violations.

Stop it, you [expletive]! Why go to Starbucks?

โ€” Gwangju Jeil High School coachProtest against the Baejae High School students' chants.

The incident has drawn criticism online, with netizens questioning the sportsmanship displayed and the response of the Baejae High school coaches. The controversy highlights concerns about respect and appropriate conduct in youth sports.

Why are you going to Starbucks? I've been holding it in since earlier.

โ€” Gwangju Jeil High School coachProtest against the Baejae High School students' chants.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.