ENHYPEN’s Ni-Ki recently found himself at the center of a controversy due to his comments about an important holiday in South Korea.
The March 1st Movement, also known as Independence Movement Day, is an important part of the country’s history. It commemorates Koreans’ valiant efforts against Japanese colonial rule, which lasted in South Korea from 1910 to 1945. The movement began on March 1, 1919, as a peaceful demonstration. It was a response to Japan’s repressive colonial policies, including forced assimilation and suppression of Korean identity. Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, Japanese soldiers responded with violence. These clashes resulted in approximately 7,500 deaths, 16,000 injuries, and 46,000 arrests.
While the movement did not immediately liberate South Korea from Japan, it united Koreans and drew global attention to their struggle for freedom. It also led to the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai. The movement significantly contributed to South Korea’s liberation in 1945 after Japan’s World War II surrender. Today, March 1st is a day of pride and remembrance in South Korea, honoring those who fought for the country’s independence.
@kpopandtea Niki’s comment is harmless and unintentional, but History is a difficult topic to touch so let us all be mindful. #niki #enhypen #controversy #unintentional
Ni-ki needs to think before he clicks
The controversy began when Ni-Ki wrote to fans via Weverse on January 29, 2024, encouraging them to “hang in there” for the upcoming weekend. When an ENGENE mentioned that the next day, March 1, was a public holiday for rest, Ni-Ki responded with “I’m jealous,” sparking immediate backlash. Given the historical sensitivity around Japanese occupation, South Koreans found his comments extremely inappropriate, especially because he’s Japanese.
When he realized how upset his comments had made people, ENHYPEN’s maknae quickly issued an apology. Returning to Weverse, he wrote, “Hello. This is Ni-ki. I apologize for my careless words regarding the March 1st Independence Movement Day, an important day of national commemoration. I’ve realized my mistake and immediately deleted the said post. I will be more careful in the future.”
Fans hope that in the future, Ni-ki will think before he clicks. That said, while many believe that he probably didn’t mean any harm, they still want him and other idols to understand and respect the historical and cultural contexts of the countries where they operate. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Ni-ki inadvertently kicked up a firestorm with a single comment. Source: X/@NikiMalaysia.
