Yoo Jae Suk has come under fire for comments made during a recent episode of tvN’s You Quiz on the Block, with some accusing him of racial insensitivity. The controversy centers around remarks he made during the “Foreigners in Name Only” special, prompting debate over whether his comments would be considered inappropriate by international standards.
In this particular episode, the show featured guests born or raised in Korea but holding foreign nationalities. Leo Ranta, Amarachi, and Michael Leidman were among those invited to share their experiences. During the conversations, Yoo Jae Suk repeatedly expressed surprise at their fluency in Korean. This left some viewers questioning the intent of his words.
Leo Ranta, who came to Korea from Finland as a baby and has lived there for 25 years, explained that he considers himself Korean. Amarachi, born in Itaewon to Nigerian parents, also shared that she had never been to Nigeria, emphasizing her strong connection to Korea. Despite their lengthy histories in Korea, Yoo Jae Suk commented several times on their language abilities, saying things like, “You speak Korean so well” and “Your accent is just like a Korean’s.”
Although Yoo Jae Suk’s remarks seemed innocent, they sparked a backlash from some viewers who felt that repeatedly expressing surprise at someone’s fluency based on their appearance could perpetuate stereotypes. Critics pointed out that, had such remarks been made in countries like the U.S. or Canada, they might be viewed as racially insensitive.
For example, a similar incident occurred in 2018 when NCT’s Mark, a Korean-Canadian, was asked during an interview with an American broadcaster, “Your English is really good,” despite English being his native language. This comment was criticized for reinforcing stereotypes that people of Asian descent aren’t typically proficient in English, echoing a broader issue of racial assumptions.
While some viewers raised concerns, others defended Yoo Jae Suk, noting that his surprise came from seeing people who didn’t “look” Korean speaking fluent Korean. Supporters argued that in a Korean context, these comments weren’t intended to be offensive and reflected more on cultural differences in language expectations.
Given Yoo Jae Suk’s history of respectful interactions and his positive reputation, many believe his remarks were not meant to offend. Still, as global standards around racial sensitivity evolve, others believe it’s essential to be cautious with such comments to avoid misunderstandings and perpetuating stereotypes.
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