GFRIEND’s “Apology Bowing Down” for Nazi Mannequin Controversy [전문]

Wish for a girlfriend (photo = SNS)

[이데일리 스타in 김현식 기자] The group’s girlfriend apologized for the’Nazi mannequin controversy’.

The agency Source Music said in a statement issued on the 1st, “We deeply apologize for causing controversy with the behind-the-scenes video of our artist’s GFRIEND’s comeback show VCR and the photo uploaded by member Sowon.”

Earlier, Sowon posted a photo on social media while hugging a mannequin in military uniform. Afterwards, some netizens who saw the photo pointed out that the costumes worn on the mannequins were similar to the uniforms of the Nazi German army during World War II. Sowon deleted the post, but the photos spread to various online communities.

In the midst of this, the controversy amplified by the fact that the same mannequin appeared in the video behind the comeback show posted on GFRIEND’s official YouTube channel.

In a statement related to this, Source Music said, “Last November, an outsourcing production company rented a cafe in Paju for the new album comeback show VCR, and our staff were able to shoot behind-the-scenes videos at the filming site, as well as several photos for artist SNS. I also took a picture,” he explained.

He added, “The department in charge did not recognize that there was a problem with the mannequin’s clothing during the on-site check on the day of the filming. In the process of uploading, I went through an internal review and discussion process, but I uploaded it without recognizing all the problematic parts.”

Source Music apologized, “We were sorry that we did not check in advance that there are inappropriate props on the shooting site, and that we did not thoroughly inspect during the process of shooting and uploading content, and that we did not pay close attention to historical facts and social issues.” In addition, he lowered his head again, saying, “I bow my head and apologize to those who would have felt uncomfortable with the video and photo.”

Source Music said, “The problematic part of the related video has been corrected now.” “The artist himself recognized the meaning of the picture, and was very surprised and immediately deleted the picture, and felt deeply responsible for posting such a picture, and it hurts. I am doing it.”

In addition, he promised, “We will deeply keep in mind that the contents we produce and share affect many people, and we will pay more meticulous attention to social issues in the future.”

Girlfriend (Photo = Source Music)

The following is the full text of Source Music’s admission statement.

Good morning.

This is Source Music.

We deeply apologize for causing controversy with the video behind the comeback show VCR of our artist, GFriend, and the photo uploaded by member Sowon.

In November last year, for the VCR of the new album comeback show, an outsourcing production company rented a cafe in Paju, and our staff took behind-the-scenes videos at the shooting site as well as several photos for artist SNS.

During the on-site check process on the day of the filming, the department in charge was not aware that there was a problem with the mannequin’s outfit. After that, in the process of uploading the behind-the-scenes video (December 12) and photos (January 31), we went through internal inspection and discussion, but uploaded without knowing all the problematic parts.

We apologize for not being able to confirm in advance that there are inappropriate props on the shooting site, not being able to thoroughly inspect the content during the filming and uploading process, and not paying close attention to historical facts and social issues. We bow our heads and apologize to those who have felt uncomfortable with these videos and photos.

The problematic part of the related video has been corrected. The artist himself recognized the meaning of the picture, was very surprised, and immediately deleted the picture, and he felt deeply responsible for posting such pictures and is heartbroken.

We will deeply keep in mind that the contents we produce and share affect many people, and we will pay more attention to social issues in the future.

We deeply apologize once again to those who may have been hurt by the video and photo.