"Displeasure at Poster Creation Without Prior Consent… Did Not Recognize It as a Political Event"
Jeon Han-gil, a Korean history instructor and YouTuber, has seen his ambitiously planned 'March 1st Memorial Concert' face a crisis. Following singer Tae Jin-ah and broadcaster Lee Jae-yong, musical actor Jung Min-chan's departure from the lineup has accelerated, making the event's holding uncertain.
On the 23rd, Jung Min-chan publicly declared his absence by sharing a poster distributed by Jeon Han-gil's side on his social media. He expressed strong displeasure, stating, "I was only aware of it as a simple March 1st memorial event without any specific explanation of the event's purpose," and added, "I learned late that a poster with my photo was created and distributed without prior consent." He further clarified, "I have no relation or interest in the event whatsoever."
The root of this situation lies in the event's 'political nature.' Initially, Jeon Han-gil's news announced a glamorous lineup for the event to be held on March 2nd at KINTEX in Ilsan, including Tae Jin-ah, Bank, Yoon Si-nae, and Jo Jang-hyuk. However, major participants declared a boycott, stating that the organizers concealed the political nature while recruiting participants.
The first to protest was Tae Jin-ah's side, which stated, "The organizers deceived us by presenting the political event as a general event," and announced a strong response by threatening to sue for defamation. Former announcer Lee Jae-yong, who was set to host the event, also expressed his intention to withdraw, saying, "If I had known it was an extreme right-wing event, I would not have accepted it." Soprano Jeong Chan-hee also joined the ranks of those not participating.
As the controversy spread, Jeon Han-gil expressed his grievances on his YouTube channel, stating, "It is sad that even performances must be wary of political colors," and he did not waver in his determination, saying, "If no one comes, I will proceed with the event alone."
Meanwhile, Jeon Han-gil recently drew attention by publicly inviting Choi Si-won of the group Super Junior, who has been noted for his political activities, calling him a 'courageous entertainer.' However, due to the core participants' announcements of legal action and subsequent declarations of absence, concerns are rising about whether the event, just two weeks away, can be held normally.
