Image courtesy:straitstimes.com
On Thursday, South Korea’s youngest MP Ryu Ho-Jeong apologised after the outraged fans gave her an intense backlash as she shared the pictures of the tattooed BTS member Jungkook to promote her campaign for liberalising the rigid inking laws of the country.
K-pop fans are particularly protective of their idols, the angry BTS ARMY criticized her for dragging him into politics. Ms Ryu of the progressive minor Justice Party did nothing to prove that she had Jungkook’s support.
South Korea has rigid restrictions on inking, it is classed as a medical procedure and is not considered illegal if performed by an authorised medical practitioner and if violated it can be subjected to possible imprisonment.
Although tattoos are becoming a widespread culture of the cosmopolitan world, celebrities still choose to hide them while they make television appearances.
The MP, Ryu who herself is a BTS fan, took to her social media and posted Jungkook’s photos on her social media accounts, those pictures had symbols and the word ARMY( name of BTS fandom) tattooed on his right hand, and others were covered under white sleeves.
She wrote, “Have you seen your favourite celebrities covered in bandages on their bodies?” she wrote. “This hideous sight is the result of television stations’ regulations on tattoos.”
A bill is being proposed by Ryu to allow trained tattoo professionals to certify them legally.
However, a wave of fierce comments flooded her social media account from BTS fans. One fan wrote, “Don’t use a celebrity for your political agenda.” And added, “I’m glad I had already stopped supporting your party.”
The 28-year-old MP, in a radio station on Thursday and said she wants to promote her bill through “everyday and popular content.”
She further added, “I’d like to apologise if anyone is offended.”
Despite the criticism, she hasn’t deleted pictures from her social media handles.