Kadi-debut pa lang ng all-female group… IZ*ONE IPINABA-BANNED NG MGA NETIZENS

Lee Vin Nia / K-BUZZ

SUMAGOT na ang South Korean network na KBS tungkol sa online petition ng mga netizens na i-ban ang bagong Japanese-Korean girl group na IZ*ONE sa Music Bank, ang music program ng network.

Kadi-debut lang ng IZ*ONE last October at bilang parte ng promotion ng new single nilang La Vie en Rose ay nakatakda silang mag-guest sa iba’t ibang music programs sa radio and TV.

Pero bigla na lang nagkaroon ng online petition requesting na huwag payagang makalabas ang grupo sa Music Bank. Ayon sa creator ng petisyon, ang IZ*ONE raw ay collaboration ng MNET (South Korean music channel) and AKB48 (a Japanese idol girl group) na diumano’y sinuportahan ang Japanese right-wing movement na sinasabing anti-Koreans.

Ang IZ*ONE ay produkto ng Produce 48, a reality competition TV show on MNET kung saan ay 12 contestants ang nanalo at ginawang grupo. Tatlo sa mga nanalo ay Japanese at dating miyembro ng AKB48.

Ang petisyon na i-ban ang grupo ay may titulong “We request a ban on the appearance of group IZ*ONE which was produced by a right-wing producer and has right-wing members.”

Sa ngayon ay mayroon na itong 12,000 signatures.

Sa offical statement na ini-release ng KBS last Nov. 23 ay ipinahayag ng network ang kanilang stand tungkol sa petisyon.

“Hello. This is the staff of KBS’s ‘Music Bank.’

“First, we respectfully thank the viewers for showing deep interest and love for our ‘Music Bank.’

“We will respond to the petition about the issue involving group IZ*ONE and their TV appearance.

“KBS has its own review board that oversees things such as broadcast content, regulation of performers, and review of songs on air. In the case of a person who has caused social controversy, the panel designates this person to the broadcasting regulators through a meeting where it’s decided if their appearance is suspended.

“In the case for group IZ*ONE, there was no guidance on casting or regulation through the review board. As for their songs, all of their songs besides ‘You’re in Love, Right?’ (IZ*ONE ver.) which is written entirely in Japanese, have passed and have been deemed appropriate for broadcast.

“None of the performers on ‘Music Bank,’ including the group in question, are included on the ‘List of Restricted Broadcasters’ created by the review board. Also, we think it’s inappropriate for the program’s staff to arbitrarily judge and restrict a guest’s appearance without clear regulatory grounds and guidelines for the song and guest.

“In the case that there’s clear reason for a future regulation (such as definite evidence of right-wing promotions going against the Korean people’s sentiments), then the staff will faithfully follow suit.

“KBS’s ‘Music Bank’ complies with the regulations of the Korea Communications Commission and the review board.

“Thank you again your interest, support, and criticism for‘Music Bank,” ang nilalaman ng statement ng KBS at sa dulo ay nakalagay ang responder na si Choi Jae Hyung, TVProduction10 Department Head.