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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Singer Harim Criticizes Funeral Wreath Protests, Faces Backlash

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Singer Harim criticized the trend of sending funeral wreaths to criticize political opponents, specifically referencing wreaths sent to Baejae High School after their May 18 mockery incident.
  • Harim stated he received backlash, being called both a "member of the Ilbe" (a far-right online community) and a "leftist" for his stance.
  • He argued that expressing grief and mourning for victims is a basic human right, not requiring special credentials, and criticized the use of flowers for malicious intent.

South Korean singer Harim has voiced strong criticism against the increasingly common practice of sending funeral wreaths as a form of political protest. He specifically called out the recent trend of wreaths being sent to Baejae High School following the baseball team's controversial chants mocking the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.

This is a comedy. With one post of mine, a strange circus has unfolded. Some call me a 'member of Ilbe' and simultaneously, someone points fingers calling me a 'leftist.' Through this, I have become a bereaved family member of May 18 and simultaneously an Ilbe member among them.

— HarimSinger Harim describes the contradictory backlash he received after criticizing the use of funeral wreaths for political criticism.

Harim revealed that his own comments on the matter have drawn sharp criticism, with some labeling him a "member of the Ilbe" (a far-right online forum) while others have accused him of being a "leftist." He described this contradictory backlash as "comedy," highlighting the polarized reactions his stance has elicited. Harim shared that his maternal uncle suffered lifelong health issues after being assaulted by soldiers during the Gwangju uprising, underscoring his personal connection to the event.

He asserted that mourning and expressing concern over societal issues should not be contingent on having specific credentials or affiliations. "Anyone, as a human being, has the natural right to speak out," Harim stated, emphasizing that his actions as a citizen and an artist were driven by a desire to address the "hatred on the streets" and mourn those who suffered.

Worrying about hatred on the streets and mourning those who have passed away does not require a grand title. Because it is a natural right that anyone, as a human being, can exercise.

— HarimHarim's statement on the right to express concern and mourn victims without needing specific credentials.

Harim previously criticized the use of funeral wreaths in political attacks, describing it as a "wicked act" and a "waste of flowers." He argued that such displays carry malicious intent, aiming to evoke thoughts of death and spoil the recipient's mood, rather than conveying genuine sentiment. He stressed that flowers, symbols of joy and life, should not be weaponized for political attacks.

The flowers offer no joy or vitality. It is merely a 'waste of flowers' created by a wicked habit. Flower are not meant to be used to hit someone.

— HarimHarim's criticism of funeral wreaths used for political purposes, calling them a waste and a malicious act.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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