Here’s What NewJeans Minji’s “Kalguksu Controversy” Is And How It Started

Recently, NewJeans‘ Minji apologized over her “kalguksu controversy.” On January 16, 2023, she uploaded a letter to Phoning.

Hello, this is Minji.
Since my debut, so many people have shown interest and love, so I am always grateful to be able to take on activities. During a live broadcast on January 2, my tone and attitude caused discomfort to the viewers. I am truly sorry to the Bunnies who must have been surprised and hurt that I showed a bad attitude during a live broadcast where I usually communicate naturally and comfortably.

Last winter, I knew what kind of reaction I had when I said I didn’t know what kalguksu was. I’m a picky eater and have never tried kalguksu before, so I thought about the type and taste of kalguksu and before I knew it, I thought to myself, ‘what is kalguksu (knife-cut noodles)?’ I ended up saying it to myself, and didn’t know that there might be a misunderstanding. I wanted to give a clear explanation, but I thought it felt like water had already been spilled and it would calm down over time.

However, as time passed, more comments were made against my judgment, even my relationship with the members was mentioned, and I received strange misunderstandings, which continued to harass me knowingly or unknowingly for a year.

So I gave an explanation out of frustration, but I am also reflecting a lot on myself for disappointing you with my very immature attitude. Through this incident, I thought about it a lot during my vacation and talked to people around me about the responsibility of my every word, and I learned a lot. I will be more careful and attentive so as not to repeat the same mistake. I would like to once again express my apologies to the Bunnies who must have felt uncomfortable and embarrassed while watching the live broadcast.

— Minji

But what even is kalguksu, and how did it start? Kalguksu is a traditional and commonly eaten Korean dish of knife cut noodles. It can be found in literally every neighborhood.

Kalguksu. | South of Seoul

On a broadcast with streamer ChimChakMan, the girls were talking about kalguksu and the various types of noodles. Minji subconsciously said to herself, “what is kalguksu” in Korean. Being a picky eater, Minji has never eaten it before, even though she knows what it is. The subconscious thought popped out, and she ended up phrasing it wrongly. She was not questioning what it was, but she was thinking about the taste and texture of it. This was only explained later in her apology letter.

Minji on the broadcast. | 케파민/YouTube

Many netizens took the chance to jump on her, claiming that she was “pretending to have a concept of a rich, luxurious girl who studied overseas.” They questioned how a Korean who grew up in Gangwon-do, did not know what kalguksu was. The ridiculous accusations got to be too much, and Minji stepped up to address it on a livestream on January 2, 2024. She directly hit back at the haters.

Everyone, do you think I wouldn’t know what kalguksu is? So, what’s kalguksu mean, like… Would I not know, everyone? Think about it twice. That’s right. I didn’t know, that’s why I said I didn’t. Do you all know how many types of kalguksu there are, and the ingredients that go into it?

— Minji

Hanni quickly stepped in to lighten the mood after Minji lashed out. The clarification only served to anger more people, as they criticized her for her harsh and annoyed tone. Some went further to call her out for her awkward English use when she said “So, what’s kalguksu mean” in English.

Netizen comments. | 이슈피드/YouTube

• Without Hanni, I think she would’ve gone on and on about kalguksu for 5 more minutes and then get her promotions suspended LOL.
• Even those who didn’t post malicious comments about it would feel offended watching this…
• And this was a paid live stream that only real fans watch LOL. She really doesn’t treasure fans…
• No, but she could’ve just glossed it over flexibly by saying something like, “Oh, I phrased things wrongly then. Hey, of course I know kalguksu.“
• Someone please block her mouth…
• That live stream had bad vibes from the start.
• I wonder how that would’ve continued and ended without Hanni.

As time went by, more began to jump on the hate train, and rather than constructive criticism, trolls and haters seemed out to get the star. Almost a year after the initial live stream, she finally posted an apology, claiming that the malicious hate got to be too much. Hopefully, with her clarification, the incident will now be put to rest.