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Ateez Yunho’s insensitive remark on 'Indian Poker' has Indigenous fans saying 'hurtful'

Native Americans were first called the term 'Indians' out of ignorance during colonization which was later used out of apathy as a racial slur

While K-pop itself is an amalgamation of different cultures infused with the pop culture of South Korea, a lot of idols tend to participate in cultural appropriation or make insensitive comments. Whether this is out of ignorance or apathy, fans are now tired. In fact, on July 17, in the first glimpse of the HBO show ‘The Idol’ co-created by The Weeknd, who himself is a Black man, Blackpink’s Jennie was seen sporting cornrows in the trailer. And now Ateez fans are calling out Yunho for making a culturally insensitive comment about Native Americans that has made Indigenous fans upset.

With K-pop often taking inspiration from Black culture - which sometimes borders on appropriation - Black and non-Black fans are always prepared to educate their idols. However, when this extends to cultures of smaller communities like Native Americans, Indigenous fans are tired of trying to bring light to the issue from idols sporting dreamcatchers as accessories to using a tepee as a prop. And now, Ateez’s Yunho has come under fire for linking the host’s pirate’s costume to an ‘Indian’ and for playing ‘Indian Poker’ in a recent variety show.

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Ateez’s Yunho called out for insensitive comment

While colonizers falsely named Native Americans as ‘Indians’ believing that the continent was part of the country India, the misconception changed to apathy as it was used right up till the early 20th century with the negative stereotype that ‘Indians’ were barbarians. Furthermore, the game Blind Man’s Poker was insensitively called ‘Indian Poker’ since placing the cards on one’s head was visually compared to that of a Native American headdress. With Ateez’s Yunho still using the outdated term ‘Indian’ and joking that a pirate costume made the host look like one, fans have found it insensitive.

‘Indians is a slur for Natives’

Following the incident that took place on the recent episode of ‘Curse of the Money Hole’ that is airing on the UNIVERSE app, fans have taken to educating the Ateez member. Fans were also respectful as they remembered leader Hongjoong’s words when he had ignorantly worn cornrows. At the time, he had asked them to hold Ateez accountable and let them know if they ever did something wrong or insensitive. 

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The fan who pointed out Yunho's comment tweeted, “I appreciate all the help. Please don’t be aggressive toward ATEEZ, it doesn’t help. We would like to show them why this was hurtful respectfully. They asked us to hold them accountable and that’s what we want to do.” Another posted, “If any atinys have universe, specifically yunho’s, i think it’s best if you say something on there. tho he might not see it there’s also a possibility that if enough people bring light to the situation then he will.”

One fan clarified, “Oh yeah one last thing (not going to speak on this topic as it’s not my place but) no one is saying they hate ateez or yunho they simply want yunho and the members to know that jokes like those are inappropriate and can cause harm, no one is trying to hate on them.” Another explained why Yunho’s comment was insensitive, “@ATEEZofficial hey Ateez,so on one of your money hole episodes(this was episode 3)Yunho said that the mc looks like an Indian.Mind you in native culture when Christopher Columbus went on indigenous land and started calling native people indians.Indian is a Slur only for natives.”

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