SNL Korea is facing a growing backlash after airing a skit that many viewers found offensive, accusing the show of mocking K-pop group NewJeans' member Hanni during her appearance at the South Korean National Assembly's state audit. The parody, aired on October 19 on Coupang Play, featured actress Ji Ye Eun imitating Hanni's accent, mannerisms, and outfit, leading to accusations of racism and insensitivity.

The skit was part of the show's latest episode, hosted by veteran actor Kim Eui Sung, and it depicted a National Assembly audit held last Tuesday to address issues of workplace bullying and discrimination involving Hanni and her agency's parent company, HYBE. Hanni, a Vietnamese-Australian idol, spoke up during the audit about harassment concerns within her agency, highlighting the bullying and ostracism faced by her group.

During the SNL Korea parody, Ji Ye Eun donned a similar outfit to what Hanni wore at a Tokyo Dome concert earlier this year and mimicked her speech, including an exaggerated Korean accent that hinted at Hanni's multicultural background. She said in broken Korean, "I came to attend because I was subjected to workplace harassment," followed by an exaggerated anecdote about her interactions with colleagues. The sketch was intended to be comedic, but many viewers saw it as a trivialization of Hanni's efforts to shed light on serious workplace issues.

Fans of NewJeans, known as "Bunnies," quickly voiced their disapproval of the skit. They accused SNL Korea of showing "racial discrimination" and undermining Hanni's bravery in speaking out against workplace harassment. "They arbitrarily distorted and tailored Hanni's statements to create dialogue, and by presenting the audit as if it were an opportunity for celebrities, they insulted the purpose of improving the working environment of workers," one fan wrote.

The parody drew criticism from viewers who pointed out that it was inappropriate to make light of Hanni's testimony, which focused on systemic workplace discrimination. "(The audit) addressed the plight of workers in the blind spots of labor law who lack protection. A foreign national bravely came forward to her non-native country's parliamentary audit and spoke up. How lowbrow is it to mock her courage? It's outrageous," wrote an online user.

Another point of contention was Ji Ye Eun's portrayal of Hanni's accent, which many labeled as racist. "It's 2024 now. I wish they would stop mocking foreigners' language skills," one viewer commented, echoing the sentiment of many others who took issue with the skit's insensitive approach to Hanni's Korean language proficiency. "If a Korean person was seriously testifying at a U.S. congressional hearing and American SNL parodied it in this superficial way, it would've made headlines," said another critic.

Hanni's fans are now taking action against the show by filing complaints with the Korea Communications Standards Commission, accusing the skit of violating broadcasting regulations. Some fans are also encouraging others to join them in reporting the program through the National Petition Center, arguing that the portrayal crossed a line and was harmful to Hanni and others in similar situations.

Despite the backlash, some viewers defended the show, arguing that the parody was simply an exercise of freedom of expression. "If we can't even parody things like that, it's practically the same as having no freedom of expression. You can express personal dislike, but it's wrong to say it should be legally banned. This is not a communist country," one supporter wrote online. The debate over the skit has become a battleground for differing views on free speech and the limits of comedy.

The controversy surrounding SNL Korea was not limited to the Hanni parody. The same episode also featured a skit that mocked Han Kang, Korea's first Nobel Prize in Literature winner, during her acceptance speech. The backlash against the show has intensified as viewers call for more sensitivity in the portrayal of public figures and marginalized groups.

SNL Korea and Coupang Play have yet to respond to the growing criticism. The lack of an official statement has further fueled the anger of Hanni's supporters, who believe that the show's producers and actors should address the concerns and issue an apology.

The incident has also sparked discussions about the broader implications of mocking foreign accents and cultural differences in South Korean media. Critics argue that such portrayals perpetuate stereotypes and discourage diversity within the entertainment industry. "We need to do better in 2024. Making fun of someone for their accent or background is not comedy; it's discrimination," one user wrote.

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