Professor SEO KYOUNG DUK of Sungshin Women’s University recently spoke out regarding an incident involving a famous male idol, whose stickers were affixed to a heritage site.
On August 8, Professor SEO KYOUNG DUK wrote on his social media:
“A controversy has erupted over an event organized by the agency of a well-known male idol to celebrate his birthday. According to several media reports, on August 2, the agency allegedly hid stickers in 26 locations across Seoul and offered personal items as prizes to fans who found them.”
He went on to say:
“The issue is that some of these stickers were placed on facilities located within the protected zone of the Hanyang Fortress, which is one of the largest and oldest surviving city walls in the world.”
He also emphasized:
“What’s even more shocking is that the stickers were not properly removed afterward, leaving visible residue on the installations.”
Professor SEO KYOUNG DUK also recalled a previous case:
“Back in January, the production team of a KBS drama caused major controversy when they drove nails into architectural pillars at Byeongsan Seowon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to install props. If such incidents continue to happen, it highlights the urgent need to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.”
He added:
“I believe one effective solution would be for the government and local authorities to expand educational programs aimed at citizens. As a nation, we must take the lead in valuing and preserving our cultural heritage ourselves.”
To recap, the controversial event involved hiding birthday-themed stickers in honor of a member of a popular boy group, with fans encouraged to find them in exchange for personal gifts.
However, the fact that the sticker hunt took place within the protected area of the Hanyang Fortress, and that stickers were attached to heritage structures, triggered a wave of public outrage.
Much like the uproar over the KBS2 drama “The first night with the duke,” whose crew damaged the UNESCO-listed Byeongsan Seowon by leaving nail holes during filming, this idol birthday event has also sparked widespread public anger.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS SEO KYOUNG DUK
