Singer Explains Controversial National Anthem Performance Amid Backlash

Um Ji-young, vocalist for the band "Big Picture," has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding her performance of the South Korean national anthem at a recent NC Dinos baseball game. In a YouTube video posted on the "Konarija" channel, she shared her emotional experience and offered an explanation for her unconventional rendition.

“

I've never been cursed at so much in my life. It's not easy to endure that.

Meeting with singer Kim Jang-hoon, who offered support, Um Ji-young became tearful as she recounted the backlash. "I've never been cursed at so much in my life," she said, admitting to reflecting on past mistakes and apologizing for unintentionally hurting others. Kim Jang-hoon acknowledged the difficulty of enduring public criticism, telling her, "It's not easy to endure that."

When asked about her performance, Um Ji-young explained her artistic intentions. "I really wanted to express the national anthem in a cool way, and I genuinely didn't know," she stated. "I didn't know there were rules on how to sing the national anthem during a national ceremony." She attributed her "greedy" approach to the performance to her inexperience with such a large stage as an indie band member, apologizing for the oversight.

“

I really wanted to express the national anthem in a cool way, and I genuinely didn't know. I didn't know there were rules on how to sing the national anthem during a national ceremony.

Kim Jang-hoon offered words of comfort, suggesting that her intentions were not malicious. "How much research and effort would have gone into a song that's only about a minute long?" he asked. "You didn't do anything bad or cowardly, Ji-young." He expressed faith in the public's inherent kindness, encouraging her to believe that people are fundamentally good.

“

You didn't do anything bad or cowardly, Ji-young. How much research and effort would have gone into a song that's only about a minute long?

Um Ji-young had previously apologized on the band's social media, acknowledging her "shortcomings in thought and skill" when preparing the anthem. She expressed regret for potentially causing trouble for the NC Dinos and promised to return with a better performance.

“

My thoughts and skills were very short when preparing the national anthem. I apologize for causing inconvenience.