K-pop idol faces backlash for comments about “Tanning Kitty” Hello Kitty doll, deemed racially insensitive by netizens
IVE member Rei has issued an apology following accusations of making racially insensitive remarks during a recent livestream. On Wednesday, July 31, the idol went live on Weverse to update her fans on her life, during which she showcased a “Tanning Kitty” Hello Kitty doll. The incident has sparked controversy and prompted Rei to address the concerns through her Bubble account.
During the livestream, Rei presented the tanned Hello Kitty doll to her fans, explaining that she had dressed it in camouflage underwear to give it a “Hip Hop” style. She then proceeded to mimic the doll rapping, making sounds such as “Gang Gang” and “Skrrt”. This segment of the livestream quickly drew criticism from netizens and fans, who deemed her actions and comments as perpetuating racial stereotypes.
this is honestly just so weird very much micro aggression whether she meant to you or not that’s what it is pic.twitter.com/aTl4BkUihY
— iz myi (@ultsaebi) July 29, 2024
Many called out the idol for associating the tanned complexion of the doll with specific clothing and language typically associated with Hip Hop culture. They argued that this perpetuated a racist notion of equating skin tone with certain behaviors or musical preferences.
God I’m so thankful for how sincere and seriously she took this. We love you rei 🫶🏼 https://t.co/dMeX1ak5Mv pic.twitter.com/zcKPnm5mnV
— Cassie ☀️IVEPALOOZA☀️ (@reikkomia) July 31, 2024
In response to the backlash, Rei took to her Bubble account to address the controversy. In her statement, she acknowledged the inappropriateness of her actions and took full accountability for her remarks. “I realized while monitoring a recent livestream that while introducing a doll that I wanted to show off to DIVEs, I unintentionally said some things that were inappropriate,” she wrote. “I take full accountability for the fact that I said something wrong during the livestream, and I would like to sincerely apologize to those who were hurt.”
Rei continued, expressing her commitment to being more mindful of her words and their impact on her fans. “I will do my best to be conscious about what I say and how it affects DIVEs in the future and be more responsible so that I can only bring happiness to DIVEs,” she added. The idol also apologized for writing her statement in Korean, citing her limited English proficiency.
The controversy surrounding Rei’s remarks has sparked discussions about racial sensitivity and the potential impact of words and actions, particularly for public figures with large followings. Many fans have expressed their support for Rei’s swift apology and her willingness to take responsibility for her mistake.
IVE, a six-piece K-pop girl group, debuted under STARSHIP Entertainment in 2021 and has since gained significant popularity in the industry with several hit tracks, including “Dive,” “Eleven,” and “After LIKE.” The group’s members have a substantial online presence and a dedicated fan base worldwide, making this incident a learning opportunity for both the idol and her supporters.
As the conversation around racial sensitivity continues, Rei’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of awareness and responsibility in public discourse, especially in the realm of social media and online interactions.
