Ex-Super Junior-M member Henry Lau apologizes over cultural appropriation claims
MANILA, Philippines — Henry Lau, a former member of Korean sub-unit boy band Super Junior-M, released a statement of apology after some Korean netizens expressed their disapproval over the star's appointment as the Mapo Police's anti-bullying ambassador, saying he is an inappropriate choice due to his previous support for China's cultural appropriation of Korea's heritage.
"I'm sorry if I did anything wrong and I apologize for the actions I did wrong and the words I said wrong," the K-pop singer shared on social media. "I just wanted to give joy, emotions and smiles to people through music, performances and TV shows."
He said his supposed support for China is due to his ethnic Chinese background.
"What hurts me the most is that people are not uncomfortable with something that I said or did, but it is because of my blood," he said.
"All I wanted to do is to make people laugh, but if they are uncomfortable with my blood, I don't know what to do."
Monster Entertainment, the star's agency, announced last Thursday that Lau is the new honorary ambassador for the anti-school bullying campaign of Mapo Police Station. Soon after the news announced the ambassadorship, over 300 posts were written at the police's official website by Koreans on Sunday, showing their disapproval of Lau's appointment.
One wrote on the site, "Especially when China has been claiming Korea's culture and history is theirs, why would we give such a public position to a person who showed support to China's cultural appropriation? This is not right. You should reconsider. Looking at his apology, he doesn't seem to know what he did wrong."
On the other hand, some Korean fans showed support for the singer, saying he is the right fit as he's a good influence on people through his music.
"I think it was an excellent choice to offer him the ambassador position, as he is a celebrity, musician, and friend who can give a positive and kind influence on children," another user wrote.
Henry debuted as a member of the K-Pop boy band sub-group, Super Junior M in 2008. He also starred in famous TV shows "Real Men" and "I Live Alone." He's been in the Koren pop scene as a solo act since.
His previous public actions raised Korean public's concern. Last year, he starred in the Chinese survival show "Street Dance of China Season 4," which featured a contestant wearing a hanbok, and dancing to Korean traditional music called "pansori." In the TV show, the stars said that it was the traditional dance of Joseonjok, the ethnic Koreans living in China. Netizens were disappointed that Lau did not correct or comment on the statement.
He was also criticized by Koreans for expressing support for the "One-China policy" on his social media account back in 2018.
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