Kim Tae Rae, a member of the group ZEROBASEONE, recently found himself in an unexpected situation after posting a photo of himself flashing a V sign. While the incident sparked some discussion, fans have largely responded positively, calling it a “clever move” and a “cute mishap.”
The photo, which was shared via a fan communication platform, was quickly taken down. The reason? Concerns over possible political misinterpretation.
With the presidential election in Korea approaching on June 3rd KST, there’s growing caution in the entertainment industry regarding gestures like thumbs up or the V sign, which can be associated with political candidates. The V sign, for example, could be interpreted as a reference to candidate Kim Moon Soo of the People Power Party, who is listed as number 2 on the ballot.
Shortly after removing the post, Kim Tae Rae explained the situation by writing, “I was told not to do the V sign because of the season.” But it was his follow-up comment that drew praise.
He added, “I’ll neutralize it with my phone color,” referring to his blue phone — the symbolic color of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, who is number 1 on the ballot. With that one sentence, Kim humorously balanced both political sides, unintentionally achieving perfect neutrality.
In the entertainment world, celebrities are known to tread carefully during election seasons to avoid unintentional political messaging through gestures, colors, or words. Fans, aware of this sensitivity, appreciated Kim’s quick thinking and sense of humor, with many commenting, “It’s funny but smart.”
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