Geoje City Defends aespa Ningning Over Dialect Controversy

Geoje City has officially responded to a controversy surrounding a dialect phrase used by Ningning, a member of the K-pop group aespa. The city clarified that Ningning's use of the expression '무섭노' (museopno) is a natural part of the local dialect and not connected to the online community Ilbe.

In a statement released on its official social media accounts, Geoje City explained that Ningning has consistently promoted her hometown through her YouTube channel, "Hello, Ningning, Please Take Care of Me." Her content features the distinctive Geoje dialect and showcases the region's landscapes.

The city's intervention aims to correct the misunderstanding and defend Ningning against accusations linking her dialect use to the controversial Ilbe forum. Geoje City stressed that the phrase is a common, everyday expression used by residents.

This clarification highlights the city's support for Ningning and its commitment to protecting its cultural identity and local dialect from misinterpretations. The statement underscores Ningning's positive contributions to promoting Geoje as her home region.