In a recent turn of events, ZEROBASEONE‘s Kim Gyuvin found himself at the center of an online controversy. Known for his playful personality and aegyo, Gyuvin‘s youthful speech habits, typical of South Korean teens, unexpectedly drew criticism. The group’s fans, aka ZEROSE, holding the idol to higher standards, took issue with certain phrases he used. They suspected their origins to be from misogynistic forums and websites.
The young artist faced criticism for using specific words and phrases many identified as originating from the “Ilbe” forum. For the uninitiated, “Ilbe,” aka the “Daily Best Archives,” is a predominantly conservative online platform frequented mainly by conservative-identifying male users.
https://www.tiktok.com/@kimtaeraefan/video/7268789298248437035?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6908322787502065153
During interactions with fans on a community platform, netizens quickly pointed out several terms Gyuvin used. These included “ㅗㅜㅑ (Oh-woo-yah),” allegedly used by “Ilbe” users when reacting to women’s bodies or explicit content. He also mentioned “없당께 (eop-dang-kkae),” a phrase from the Jeolla dialect “Ilbe” users might use to mock speakers of this dialect.
Additionally, he used “못참제 (mot-cham-jae),” another dialect-style term similar to “못참지.” Lastly, “아몰랑 (ah-mol-llang)” is a cutesy way of saying “I don’t know,” which some believe ‘Ilbe’ users use to mock emotional females. Some ZEROSE defended Gyuvin, arguing that those terms were common slang, while others felt they were inappropriate, especially coming from a public figure.
Gyuvin who always tries to communicate with Zeroses in every way he can. Gyuvin who showers us with love through his constant updates. Gyuvin who is the nicest and sweetest.
You are loved. ❤️
WE LOVE YOU GYUVIN#WeLoveYouGyuvin pic.twitter.com/PnPb2Kwot1
— Kim Gyuvin Philippines (@KimGyuvinPHL) August 19, 2023
Kim Gyuvin apologizes
As the news spread, concerns arose about whether Gyuvin might be an ‘Ilbe’ user. Addressing the issue head-on, Gyuvin took to social media to clarify his stance. He expressed that he was unaware of the deeper meanings behind the words he used.
[💬] 20230819 Mnet Plus Update: KIM GYUVIN
"Hi, I'm Kim Gyuvin from ZEROBASEONE. Recently, in the process of communicating with fans in a new way, I learned that expressions of unknown meaning and origin were used, and I have deeply reflected on this. I sincerely apologize to… pic.twitter.com/JgTtLWEBMm
— Kim Gyuvin Philippines (@KimGyuvinPHL) August 19, 2023
In his heartfelt message, Gyuvin said, “Hello, this is ZEROBASEONE’s Kim Gyuvin. Recently, while communicating with fans on a new platform, I realized I used words without understanding their origins or implications. I regret my actions and am taking time to reflect on my mistakes. I sincerely apologize to those who felt uneasy due to my oversight. I pledge to educate myself to prevent such incidents in the future. I extend my apologies to my fans and everyone affected by this.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding the context and implications of the words we use, especially in the age of the internet where words can easily be misconstrued. It’s commendable that Gyuvin acknowledged his mistake and committed to learning from it, setting an example for many in the limelight. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Gyuvin apologized to everyone for his words. Source: Twitter/@KimGyuvinPHL.