[Kang Il-hong's Issue Talk] Gong Hyeong-jin&Shim Soo-bong's 'Boomerang'... A Senior's 'Class Controversy'

Will Lee Soo-man's A2O Lite Achieve a 'Double Crown,' Shaking Up the Global K-Pop Scene?BTS Jungkook, 8 Videos Surpassing 100 Million Views; First Asian Solo Artist to Do SoK-Dramas Conquer Netflix's Global Top Spot; The Secret to 'Doctor X's SuccessIn the so-called 'era of one-person mobile media,' where everything is shared in real-time via social media, a single word or a trivial action by a celebrity can instantly become the subject of social judgment. Actor Gong Hyeong-jin is facing backlash over alleged 'senior bullying' towards junior actor Cha Ji-yeon, and singer Shim Soo-bong is embroiled in controversy for publicly criticizing junior Kim Da-hyun, both facing significant headwinds. /THE FACT DB, AI Image Synthesis[THE FACT|Reporter Kang Il-hong] This week's issue talk will begin by addressing some rather uncomfortable controversies. Nowadays, anyone can film any moment with just a mobile phone and share it in real-time through social media, ushering in the so-called 'era of one-person mobile media.'Now, a single word or a trivial action by a celebrity can instantly become the subject of social judgment.The recent controversy surrounding actor Gong Hyeong-jin's alleged 'senior bullying' towards junior actor Cha Ji-yeon, and singer Shim Soo-bong's public criticism of junior Kim Da-hyun, pose important questions for us. Does the status of being a senior grant the right to speak disrespectfully to a junior?Let's first consider Gong Hyeong-jin's case. The controversy arose from his alleged demand for a junior to bow again at a public event, citing his seniority, and making remarks comparing the junior unfavorably in a situation where his own photo was not being taken.Of course, one could interpret this as a joke. However, a joke is not complete solely by the speaker's intent. If the listener feels uncomfortable, and the surrounding audience perceives a hierarchical atmosphere, the joke has already lost its function of humor.Furthermore, an attitude that repeatedly emphasizes the status of being a senior demands respect, rather than demonstrating behavior worthy of respect.A comedian who knows Gong Hyeong-jin well said, "While I don't think Gong Hyeong-jin had malicious intent," he stated, "it's anachronistic to try to be funny with words that used to be popular, belittling the other person." Times have changed, and now not only the other person but also the audience watching feels uncomfortable.Singer Shim Soo-bong's remarks reveal a different issue. She publicly and harshly criticized junior Kim Da-hyun's performance, referencing her singing and life experience.While evaluations and critiques of music are certainly possible, the appropriateness of criticizing a young junior's experience and qualifications in front of a large audience, without explaining specific musical issues, needs to be considered separately.Public criticism, in particular, can place a significant burden on the individual and create an uncomfortable situation for the audience. If the goal is critique, specific areas for improvement should be explained, and if the goal is education, it should be delivered in a way that preserves the other person's dignity.What do these two incidents have in common? Both stem from prioritizing one's own intentions and status, failing to sufficiently consider how the other party might perceive it.Of course, these two incidents alone cannot define the individuals' usual character or all their words and actions. However, the words and actions revealed in public settings warrant critical examination.We are now in an era where not only celebrities but everyone must take responsibility for their words and actions. Once a scene is filmed, it can spread regardless of context, and apologies or explanations do not entirely erase the initial unpleasant feelings.The true dignity of a senior lies not in forcing juniors to bow or publicly lecturing them. It lies in nurturing juniors with advice born from experience, protecting the pride of colleagues, and using one's influence judiciously.One is not automatically respected simply for being older. Higher rank does not automatically justify the weight of one's words. Ultimately, what makes a person shine is not the title of 'senior,' but the words and actions that befit that title.Advice for juniors versus public rudeness, where is the line? The conclusion seems to be that the standards for senior-junior culture and public figures' language expression are that the public should not feel uncomfortable or displeased.A2O Lite took first place on SBS Life's 'The Show' on the 20th and then topped the charts again on MBC M's 'Show! Champion' on the 21st, achieving a double crown in just one day. This accomplishment came a mere 8 days after the release of their English title track 'NEON.' /MBC MA2O Lite Achieves Double Crown 8 Days After Debut... Did Lee Soo-man's Gamble Pay Off?The momentum of Lee Soo-man's ambitious project team, A2O Lite, the originator of global K-POP, is unusual. Achieving a double crown on music shows within 8 days of their debut, the rookie group A2O Lite is making its presence known in the K-pop market at a frightening pace.A2O Lite secured its first win on SBS Life's 'The Show' on the 20th and then topped the charts again on MBC M's 'Show! Champion' on the 21st, achieving a double crown in just one day. This accomplishment came a mere 8 days after the release of their debut song 'Neon,' with the English title 'NEON,' on the 13th.The members could not hide their surprise at the unexpected awards. Member Young-eun expressed her happiness at receiving such valuable awards twice, stating that it felt like their hard work was being rewarded. Notably, her expression of gratitude to Lee Soo-man and Sunny also drew attention.So, how should we view A2O Lite's rapid rise? A double crown on music shows is a significant achievement marking the debut of a rookie group. However, their true competitiveness begins now. Connecting the interest in 'Neon' to follow-up songs and fandom expansion, and establishing a distinct musical color for the team will be key to their long-term growth.The person to watch here is Lee Soo-man. After founding SM Entertainment and serving as its chief producer, he is returning to the industry after a three-year hiatus, drawing attention.Lee Soo-man, chief producer and visionary leader of A2O Entertainment, directly revealed the underlying issues behind the debut of A2O Lite and A2O Soul in his keynote speech at the Era Forum on the 21st.He raised the question of whether, as K-pop grows globally and performance and visuals become increasingly important, people are truly enjoying the pleasure of listening to the music itself. He pondered whether it was possible to create music that is enjoyable just by listening and also enjoyable to watch.He then explained that the debut of these two groups is an attempt to re-question K-pop, which could fall into mannerism by settling for familiar methods.The key here is not simple technological innovation or differentiation. Lee Soo-man emphasized that good content is not created merely by using new technology or being different from others; above all, it must contain human affection.Ultimately, the goal of the A2O project can be seen as creating content that combines technology, music, and performance while moving people's hearts.A2O Lite has shown potential with their double crown achievement immediately after their debut. Can they answer Lee Soo-man's new questions for K-pop with their music and results? Attention is focused on A2O Lite's next steps, whether they can move beyond their initial surge to build a global fandom and establish their own unique musical world.As many as eight of Jungkook's official audio videos have surpassed 100 million views on YouTube. This marks the first time for an Asian solo artist, once again proving his immense global influence. /Jungkook's SNSGlobal Popularity Proven by YouTube... 8 Audio Videos with Over 100 Million ViewsIn this multi-platform era, as the influence of social media and video platforms grows, YouTube views have become a crucial indicator of a global star's popularity and influence.Amidst this, BTS, BTS's JUNG KOOK, has set another astonishing record. As many as eight of Jungkook's official audio videos have surpassed 100 million views on YouTube. Notably, this is the first time for an Asian solo artist, once again proving Jungkook's immense global influence.According to related data on the 22nd, the official audio video for 'Yes or No' recently surpassed 100 million views, bringing Jungkook's personal total to eight audio videos with over 100 million views.Among these, the explicit version of 'Seven' recorded 184 million views, 'Still With You' recorded 170 million views, and 'Euphoria' recorded 173 million views. In addition, 'Standing Next to You,' 'Dreamers,' and '3D' have also surpassed 100 million views.The music performance is also noteworthy. On YouTube Music, four tracks including 'Standing Next to You,' 'Seven,' '3D,' and 'Left and Right' have each recorded over 500 million streams.The music videos are also receiving a heated response. 'Seven' has surpassed 650 million views, '3D' has surpassed 290 million views, and 'Standing Next to You' has surpassed 240 million views.Jungkook's YouTube Topic channel also boasts 4.4 million subscribers. This broad range of achievements, from audio videos to music streams and music videos, demonstrates that Jungkook's music is being consistently loved by fans worldwide, transcending language and borders.'Chief Detective 1958' Followed by 'Doctor X' at No. 1 Globally for Two Consecutive Weeks with 23.1% ViewershipFollowing 'Chief Detective 1958,' which recorded 23.1% viewership, 'Doctor X' has now captivated global viewers.Amidst the continued global success of SBS dramas, Kim Ji-won's 'Doctor X: The Era of the White Mafia' has proven the competitiveness of K-dramas by topping Netflix's Global Non-English TV Shows for two consecutive weeks.According to the weekly rankings released by Netflix on October 19th, 'Doctor X' maintained its top position in the category for the period of October 5th to 18th. It reached No. 1 just three days after its release, with a cumulative viewership of 9.9 million hours in its first week.So, what fueled the global success of 'Doctor X'? First is the compelling character and the actor's transformation. Genius surgeon Kye Soo-jeong, played by Kim Ji-won, is a character who knows no failure or compromise. The protagonist's portrayal of overturning the game with her skills against corrupt power leaves a distinct impression compared to existing medical dramas.Second is the genre appeal, which combines the medical field with noir and a cathartic narrative. It directly addresses the power struggles and corruption within the hospital setting, delivering strong catharsis through the protagonist's actions in overcoming an unreasonable reality. The story of a character fighting against the tyranny of power and striving for justice can resonate across different languages and cultures.Third is the production competitiveness of SBS dramas, which are expanding beyond the domestic market to the global stage. Following 'Chief Detective 1958,' starring SO JI SUB, which recorded three consecutive weeks at No. 1 in Netflix's Global Non-English TV Shows, 'Doctor X' also secured the top spot for two consecutive weeks. 'Brave New World' and 'Sold Out Today' also reached No. 1 in the same category, reaching global viewers with different genres and characters.Ultimately, the competitiveness of global K-dramas is not confined to Korean sentiment. Unique characters, genre combinations, fast-paced narratives, and the power of stories that can resonate across borders are becoming increasingly important.'Doctor X's consecutive No. 1 ranking exemplifies this trend. From domestic viewership ratings to the global streaming market, attention is focused on whether the success of SBS dramas can lead to sustained content competitiveness beyond one-off achievements.eel@tf.co.kr