As you already know, AOA's Seolhyun and Jimin have embroiled in a controversy due to their lack of knowledge of history. In their reality program, "Channel AOA," the two idol star tried a history quiz but couldn't recognize
Ahn Jung Geun, who was a famous Korean independence fighter. After the broadcast, a firestorm of criticism was directed at them.
Well, the public's outrage toward Seolhyun and Jimin is not just because they're ignorant about history. As I said above, Ahn Jung Geun was a Korean independence fighter and was a leader of the Korean independence movement against the Japanese occupation of Korea. He was executed by the Japanese government in 1909 for assassinating Ito Hirobumi, the Japanese administrator of power in Korea. You know, Japan’s colonial rule and wartime aggression aren’t appreciated by any Asian nation, and everything about Japan is always a very sensitive issue for Koreans. In the program, Jimin even addressed Ahn Jun Geun as "Kin To Kang," the Japanese way of pronouncing Korean name "Kim Doo Han" who is another historical figure. And people were very disappointed about Seolhyun because she is the ambassador of 2016-2018 Visit Korea Year.
By the way, there is a story behind the broadcast. After solving the history quiz, Seoulhyun and Jimin asked the production crew of "Channel AOA" to delete the scene. However, Mnet refused their request. Well, this is how Mnet does things. Audience rating is the most important thing for Mnet, and the broadcasting company never cares about cast members' human right and image. That's why Mnet's famous programs such as "Super Star K" and "Unpretty Rapstar" always cause controversy. I can't say Seolhyun and Jimin did a good job, but I'm sure at least half of Korean young people these days do not know about Ahn Jung Geun and Mnet needed to protect the two idol stars.
