During a press conference yesterday, the head of the Korea Welfare Association of Public Artists expressed its support for Lee Myung-bak stating that Lee is the “only person who will support artists in developing hallyu and transforming Korean popular culture into that of an advanced nation.” It also unveiled the names of 39 celebrities that it claimed were supporters of Lee Myung-bak.
But, it seems that it has also jumped the gun. Some of the celebrities expressed disbelief that their names were mentioned without prior consultation. Some even withdrew their support for Lee, immediately after the announcement. One young actress, who showed up at the press conference, was surprised to find out that a “routine celebrity event” was in fact a pep rally for Lee.
Dragooning people for a certain political candidate is SOP here, so one isn’t surprised that sunbae celebrities are mobilizing their hubaes for a certain candidate they support.
One Comment
This sounds like an inferiority complex rather than a desire to support the arts.
Perhaps it is the mentality of such people — like the head Korea Welfare Association of Public Artists — than needs changing instead of the culture.