Controversy has sparked after ITZY's Ryujin issued an apology today for a recent incident on stage.
During a recent ITZY concert, Ryujin was spotted taking a moment to adjust her outfit in between songs. The clip of her doing so quickly went viral, with edited versions of the clip attracting further attention.
I feel the need to share the original unedited video because of how widely the maliciously edited clips have spread that led to misinformation and harassment Ryujin was simply adjusting her outfit between performances. The edited clips intentionally slow down, reverse and loop… pic.twitter.com/9q9s6579Mz
The clip brought immediate debate, as some claimed that it was "inappropriate" for Ryujin to adjust her outfit on stage, and others argued that she did nothing wrong. Edited versions of the clip also continued to spread, inciting further controversy.
Now, Ryujin has posted an official apology for adjusting her outfit on stage. Addressing the matter with both humor and seriousness, Ryujin expressed her remorse to fans.
In the apology, she states that she regrets what happened and wants to apologize to fans. Ryujin explains that while she adjusted her outfit because it had become extremely uncomfortable, she feels sorry for what happened and is "so disappointed in herself".
🐱: Right now, I'm getting a lot of messages from people around me and also getting scolded quite a bit. About that moment when I put my hand inside my pants, I wanted to apologize and clarify things to MIDZY. 🐱: Let me sit up straight and be serious for a second 🐱: First of… pic.twitter.com/nzGYhxh8PQ
Translation by @TCYCRV: "Right now, I'm getting a lot of messages from people around me and also getting scolded quite a bit.
About that moment when I put my hand inside my pants, I wanted to apologize and clarify things to MIDZY.
Let me sit up straight and be serious for a second.
First of all, that jumpsuit was riding up way too high, and it was genuinely so uncomfortable and painful. I wasn't thinking straight at the moment, I just really needed to pull it down. But looking back at the footage myself, I agree it definitely looked like my hand went in a bit too deep.
I think I’ve gotten so comfortable around MIDZY lately that I completely let my guard down on stage and acted without thinking. I am so deeply sorry for that.
But seriously, it was absolutely the jumpsuit's fault! It was literally trying to split me in half, so I had no choice! Still, I know it was wrong of me to reach into my pants in public, especially on stage. That was my mistake.
Because of this, my friend made me promise to do some serious self-reflection and repeat this three times:
I will never reach into my pants in public, especially on stage, ever again.
So yeah, that’s where I stand. I’m honestly so disappointed in myself for letting everyone who loves and supports me see me doing something like that.
But seriously... it really *was* the jumpsuit's fault!
...Okay, okay, but it was still my bad at the end of the day.
Next time I have to wear a jumpsuit, I’ll just bring a pair of scissors on stage with me. Just kidding…
Anyway, that’s the whole story and I just wanted to clarify things with you all."
Ryujin's apology has only sparked further controversy. Fans are currently expressing their outrage over her apology, with many saying that it was unnecessary for her to apologize and that she never should have received backlash for simply adjusting her outfit on stage. Multiple fans are also criticizing ITZY's company JYP Entertainment for "not protecting" Ryujin from harassment over the clip.
