Former B.A.P’s Bang Yongguk Earns Praise After Calling For Prayer Break At Malaysia Concert

Former B.A.P. member Bang Yongguk won the internet’s heart after his considerate actions during his recent concert in Malaysia.

Bang Yongguk performing in Malaysia | @bangstergram/Instagram

On July 20 (local time), the rapper performed at Kuala Lampur’s Shantanand Auditorium as part of his ongoing Colors Of Bang Yongguk tour. A fan-taken video from the concert revealed that he had paused the show mid-way to allow Muslim fans to perform their prayer at the routine time.

Bintang K-Pop dari Korea Selatan, Bang Yongguk menghormati kepelbagaian agama dan budaya semasa persembahannya di Malaysia dengan menyelitkan waktu rehat khusus buat peminat yang beragama Islam untuk melaksanakan solat Maghrib.

Beliau turut menjelaskan terlebih dahulu kepada… pic.twitter.com/5iVl7odThc

— Malaysian Kpop Fans (MKF) (@msiakpopfans) July 20, 2023

It turns out that the official schedule for Bang’s concert also showed two prayer breaks allocated during the event, one at 4:45 pm and another at 7:45 pm (local time).

officialkevents.com

Bang and his team showed full consideration to the local customs by not only allotting breaks for prayers but also arranging dedicated rooms where fans could peacefully perform them.

BANG YONGGUK THE STANDARD https://t.co/juvom8yTsw pic.twitter.com/p1KZFK9eo9

— dany (@orgel_dnwm) July 21, 2023

Malaysian fans were also touched that the rapper requested his translator to convey his entire speech in Malay, showing genuine respect for their customs and culture.

Bang yongguk is the real winner though. He really asked for BM translator instead of in english. Stop the concert for 15 minutes for his fans to solat.

He studied and respect.

— rui (@aliasnaliakml) July 21, 2023

While the sensitivity shown by the former B.A.P. leader received much praise on social media, it also brought up the Matty Healy incident. Interestingly, Yongguk’s concert was just a day before Healy’s. The British singer performed at the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur on July 21 and caused the event to get called off after criticizing the anti-LGBTQ+ laws of the country and kissing his bandmate on stage.

Many Malaysian queer individuals criticized Healy for trying to play the “white savior” without considering the actual people his actions might affect. Disappointed netizens complained that he left the community worse off with his “performative activism.”

and now all the malaysian queers have to face the consequences and being targeted by the government. he shouldve stfu and sing the damn songs cuz he rlly thought he was fighting for the lgbtq community here but in fact he just made it worse for us https://t.co/BQSsB1h67N

— ليديا ꩜ (@222xen) July 23, 2023

Matty Healy's 'gay kiss' stunt at a concert in Malaysia has sparked fury from #LGBTQ+ activists and allies in the country.

Many have described the singer's protest against the country’s anti-queer laws as an act of "performative activism" that will make their lives harder. pic.twitter.com/X0xxbk2ckT

— Openly (@Openly) July 26, 2023

With how closely these two incidents took place, comparisons were inevitable. The appreciation for Bang’s sensitivity was followed up with scathing criticism of Healy’s actions in almost all the cases.

yesterday Yongguk asked for the interpretation to be in bahasa melayu, personally announced rest time so muslims can pray cus he respects our culture and religion in Malaysia and there’s matty healy lecturing a muslim country about lgbtq and proceed to kiss his bandmate? butoh

— 혁 ⏻ (@hyuknim2307) July 21, 2023

Bang yongguk so so respectful towards the fans. He even asked to go for maghrib break. Not like that Matt Healy guy from 1975 demolished the chances for international act to perform in Malaysia. https://t.co/kyNlwbdU2Y

— u9 (@zeawoguchi) July 21, 2023

The difference we had in just a day or two between Bang Yongguk who respected our religion and culture and the dipshit Matt Healy who literally got the whole GVF cancelled

— えじ (@ejiiboo) July 22, 2023

THIS IS THE STANDARD! LOOK AT BANG YONGGUK, ASK MUSLIM GO SOLAT FIRST. MAD RESPECT ???? MATTY CANNOT RELATE pic.twitter.com/7IQlkZ4S0i

— bee⁷ HOPE???????? (@beetheebee) July 22, 2023

But regardless of the other incident, Bang Yongguk successfully won the hearts of Malaysian K-Pop fans with his considerate actions.