Netizens Raise Anger After 2PM’s Taecyeon Faces An Allegedly Colorist Remark From A Reporter

Netizens have raised their anger after 2PM‘s Taecyeon received remarks by a reporter during a recent press conference that were deemed colorist.

2PM’s Taecyeon | @taecyeonok/Instagram

Taecyeon is currently starring in the new K-Drama Heartbeat, where he plays Seon Woo Hyul, someone who is half human and half vampire.

During the press conference, one reporter gained negative attention after making a comment deemed colorist by netizens.

Vampires are known to be pale and delicate, but you, although have gotten paler but… (Laughs) So I was wondering if there was something you had in mind to portray a different kind of vampire.

— Korean reporter

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Considering that a Korean standard of beauty is the idea of having “pale” skin is favorable, but “tanned” isn’t made the comments worse for netizens. It wasn’t surprising that fans were angry at the comments toward the idol.

i'm SO sick of colorism being so normalized. idk if y'all realize how crazy this is like wow https://t.co/wdNosuEQIj

— cha ☾ (@cha_chronicles) June 28, 2023

Vampires are pale not white theres a difference. All races can become vampires via a bite or blood exchange theyre only pale because they have no blood flow whatsoever so this is pure colorism .Also the audacity to tell him he became whiter but it wasnt white enough??? Wtf https://t.co/mJ2xBMShFj pic.twitter.com/dxCPujJ4V3

— Inès is not a after all (@inesyawyawyaw) June 26, 2023

Taecyeon is a beautiful man as is.

I despise this obsession with and coveting fairer skin as better and superior that runs rampant in the world .

Also it's a vampire a mythical fantasy; the character can be whatever and still hold true to the lore. https://t.co/1COf5NNNCv

— Queen V (@KpopWithV) June 27, 2023

imagine commenting on someone’s skin color in the middle of a press conference bc you are obsessed with white men. colorism has rotted their brains https://t.co/yKioWkyheM

— jay (@tensorfied_) June 26, 2023

Netizens also raised anger about the issues of colorism aftern Taecyeon posted a photo on Instagram of a vampire with “darker skin.”

The photo that added controversy | @taecyeonok/Instagram

The caption of the post read, “My heart is racing, the first week’s done.” While the whole post showcased many more photos from the filming and promotion, the fact that the first picture was the vampire photo after the comments didn’t sit well with fans.

When the photo was shared on social media…

my jaw just hit the floor https://t.co/DPOhZcgeIr pic.twitter.com/dV59gt4JeL

— bryanna (@honeyscps) June 28, 2023

the way korean people perceive skin color is so unserious https://t.co/wa9J5Quj4y

— (@blooxwar) June 28, 2023

the fact that a reporter told him he’s not “white enough” to play a vampire and the next minute he’s given this balloon to promote his character.. the colorism is actually insane https://t.co/anZhKLQjDq

— jay (@tensorfied_) June 28, 2023

Koreans be 1/4 a shade darker than the rest of their group/cast and they get told they blend into the night sky https://t.co/xGTU0asbAR

— Bran (@yjkive) June 29, 2023

Colorism in Asia is like “we don’t see race we just see the color of your skin and if you’re 2 shades darker than an 18th century ghoul then its all bad and ugly because beauty standard ” https://t.co/Oei1PjgGb9

— dit (@bazookussy) June 29, 2023

The ongoing issue of colorism within K-Pop and Korea, in general, is something international netizens are aware of, and despite trying to raise awareness, fans are continually frustrated.