South Korean television network SBS has come under fire after airing a racist comedy sketch featuring a character in blackface on the show “Laughing Legend Match”.
In a comedy skit, a character named Hyunhee talks to her family about her dreams of becoming a comedian despite her father’s disapproval, according to Koreaboo.
When she comes to see him, Hyunhee appears in blackface, wearing dreadlocks and what are supposed to be African tribal clothes.
The final scene of the show has the character dancing to the song “Circle of Life” from Disney’s “The Lion King”.
Check out the insensitive skit below:
In response, viewers took to social media to express their anger, with many calling the skit racist and how it’s offensive to people of color.
What the actual fuck SBS & People Looking For A Laugh!?!?! This is disgusting!!!! Fuck You!! Black Face isn’t funny nor has it ever been!!!! pic.twitter.com/dGtlSCqQDK
— TWICE (@jyp_twice_facts) April 19, 2017
take down this disturbing and blatantly racist skit @SBSNOW and issue an apology to the communities you offended. this will not go unnoticed pic.twitter.com/hoTwAC8OZY
— ㅤ (@jonghyun) April 19, 2017
Y’all are adults so I’m sure you’re aware of how disgusting, offensive, and extremely racist this is. This behavior is unacceptable+ pic.twitter.com/6DfyvzTLMt
— 👼🏽joon whom?👼🏽 (@aegyorapmon) April 20, 2017
SBS what the actual fuck?! black face,cabbage leaf skirt,painted big lips,how does it not click in your heads that this would upset someone? pic.twitter.com/PeWYJNjARV
— V (@itsVarunG) April 19, 2017
SBS is a fucking mess, how are they gonna mock black people, native americans and polynesians all at once pic.twitter.com/rjOJiFObsB
— Ram (@primesuga) April 19, 2017
SBS has yet to make an official statement or issue an apology, but this is unfortunately not the first time that the country has portrayed blackface.
Billboard reported back in March that during a Mamamoo concert in Seoul, the Korean girl group released a video parodying Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” while in blackface and donning similar outfits that were featured in the music video.
The group did issue an apology, but not before receiving major backlash from netizens for their actions.
“We were extremely ignorant of blackface and did not understand the implications of our actions,” Mamamoo wrote. “We will be taking time to understand more about our international fans to ensure this never happens again. We hope that you will help to educate us on these and other issues so that we can become better people and better artists.”
