Following the growing criticism from fans over his tribute to Charlie Kirk, Siwon from Super Junior has recently issued a clarification for his post.
On September 12, Choi Siwon addressed the controversy through fan platform Bubble, writing: “There has been much discussion about my tribute to Charlie Kirk, so I wish to explain. He was a Christian, a father, and a husband. Regardless of the circumstances, it is heartbreaking that he lost his life to gun violence while giving a lecture in front of many college students. That is why I paid tribute to him, regardless of his political stance.”
Despite Siwon's explanation, Korean netizens continue to criticize him for his perceived duplicity of paying tribute to Kirk while failing to do the same for other victims of gun violence. They also pointed to his prior controversy, including a post opposing Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests and shared content opposing same-sex marriage.
Korean netizens commented:
"Oh, okay."
"If he had mourned when American elementary school kids were killed in indiscriminate shootings, then maybe I’d understand."
"What nonsense."
"So he only feels sad for Kirk, but when others die, it doesn't matter."
"Setting political views aside, it’s even harder to understand lol. As expected, Choi Siwon."
"Makes you think deeply about what religion really is lol."
"Celebrities should reveal these things more on social media so we can filter them out. lol."
"Just be quiet."
"Regardless of political stance? Just say it was because of religious stance."
"I wouldn't have thought anything or said anything if he mourned all the other people who were killed, but he only paid tribute to Kirk."
"Um, Kirk was too much of a political figure."
"Yes, Kirk was a father, husband, and he was Christian, but you can't remember that he was racist and a misogynist?"
"So he's only sad when these protestant Christians die."
"This is what happens when Korean Christianity packages and glorifies white supremacists."
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