“Fan Reactions to SNL Korea’s Controversial Portrayal of NewJeans’ Hanni and Nobel Prize Winner Han Kang”

On October 19, 2024, the South Korean variety program SNL Korea sparked significant backlash following an episode that many viewers deemed to have strayed beyond the boundaries of acceptable humor. This particular installment included satirical representations of two well-known personalities: Hanni, a member of the trending K-pop group NewJeans, and Han Kang, the esteemed writer who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024.

Fans expressed their outrage, claiming that the depictions of these individuals were not only offensive but also inappropriate. The controversy was especially intense surrounding the portrayal of Hanni, who had recently gained attention after participating as a reference witness in a case related to workplace bullying during a National Assembly audit on October 15.

In the sketch, actress Ji Ye-eun took on the role of Hanni, parodying her emotional account of suffering isolation at her workplace. Many social media users criticized the skit for trivializing serious issues like workplace harassment and suggested it portrayed Hanni in a derisive manner. One user on platform X, @tubatu_iq, remarked:

“Is this the quality of Korean television? Making fun of a foreigner’s language skills and ridiculing a woman for her Nobel Prize achievement?”

“Mocking workplace bullying, which is a serious issue, and turning it into a joke is incredibly disrespectful,”another user lamented.

“Not just Hanni; they are also ridiculing Han Kang, who brought pride to Korea by winning the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. How ignorant can they be?”another fan furiously posted.

Commenters criticized the cast for mocking Hanni’s language skills and raised concerns about the treatment of a Nobel laureate.

“These so-called ‘actors and actresses’ can’t even speak English fluently, yet they mock Hanni, who has been learning Korean for only three years? This is so hypocritical,”one netizen pointed out.

“Why ridicule a Nobel laureate? Is it because she is a woman? This country is absurd,”another user commented.

The portrayal exaggerated Hanni’s Australian accent and her emotional plea for respect in her work environment, resulting in widespread indignation. Numerous viewers took issue with the perception that SNL Korea was belittling Hanni’s earnestness, with accusations of xenophobia emerging over the accent exaggeration.

Meanwhile, actress Kim Ah-young mimicked Han Kang’s demeanor, voice, and posture, which also failed to resonate positively with the audience, as many found the portrayal to be more offensive than humorous.

“Look at the misogyny in South Korea. Women are mocked, even when they achieve greatness like winning a Nobel Prize,”one netizen expressed.

“Is this what SNL should take pride in? Being racist and xenophobic?”another user added.

Public Outcry Over SNL Korea’s Depiction of Han Kang in Recent Sketch

First airing in 2011, Saturday Night Live Korea is a South Korean version inspired by the long-running American sketch show. Renowned for its edgy humor and satirical lens on current events, the series has developed a reputation for pushing societal boundaries.

This incident marks not the first time SNL Korea has faced criticism; earlier this year, the show attracted controversy for a skit that mocked the girl group LE SSERAFIM’s performance at Coachella.

While parody and satire are core aspects of SNL Korea’s approach, many believe that the latest sketches fell short, transforming potentially clever commentary into offensive caricatures.

Observers have also noted that deriding a prominent figure like Han Kang, whose contributions have garnered international acclaim for South Korea, diminishes the nation’s achievements on the global stage. The expanding backlash, alongside calls for accountability towards Hanni, signifies a growing dissatisfaction with the direction of SNL Korea’s content.

As of now, SNL Korea has not released any formal response addressing the situation.

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