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(G)I-DLE's Shuhua slams misogynist attack in China, fans call her 'brave'

A woman was brutally beaten up in China recently after she rejected unwanted attention from a group of men while bystanders watched

Women’s rights still have a long way to go when it comes to conservative South Korea as a majority still have patriarchal and misogynist mindsets. The president-elect's campaign cited anti-feminist mandates and the dissolution of the Ministry of Gender Equality and he ended up winning the election. In fact, a lot of female idols were bashed by the general public for allegedly voting for the more liberal party. And with fame being fickle, K-pop agencies school their artists to stay diplomatic. But that hasn’t stopped (G)I-DLE’s Shuhua from being vocal about the sexual assault in China that has shaken the nation.

International fans cannot fathom the vocal male Knetizens who have often labeled feminism as misandry as evident from slamming female Olympic champions for having short hair, posing with alleged "feminist" finger signs, or reading women empowering literature. And so, out of fear of backlash no Korean celebrity has yet reacted to the latest horrifying and misogynist attack that took place in Tanshang, China on June 10, 2022. But Chinese fans were touched when the youngest member of (G)I-DLE, Shuhua took to Weibo to send her support.

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Shuhua slams the misogynist attack in China

On June 12, Shuhua wrote a lengthy letter of support, voicing her concern and lamenting the status of women as she bashed the perpetrators and the witnesses who did not come to the victim’s aid. The 22-year-old (G)I-DLE star wrote, “Dear girls, I’m sorry I can’t help you bear your pain…But now you just need to heal…The rest, believe me, everyone will help you get justice.” Fans were moved that Shuhua used her global platform and joined the online protest that has been pressurizing the Chinese authorities to take action.

Shuhua did not stop there as she slammed the men attacking and the bystanders that simply watched. She said, “I am puzzled. This is the truth that even educated and uneducated animals understand…Although I don’t know if these scum can understand people’s words…I’m really fed up with the existence of scum…Legal department, please open your eyes, please don’t show mercy.”

She also responded to the Chinese fans who were worried about the backlash by saying that she appreciated the concern but she needed to speak up for injustice. She also assuaged fans who were triggered by the attack and hoped no one would suffer anymore.

On June 10, a group of men attacked and beat up a woman after she turned down their unwanted attention. The attack was caught by the restaurant's CCTV which also recorded bystanders watching while only her three female friends tried to help and stop the men. It has created an uproar in China due to the rampant misogyny still present in the country. 

'Not afraid to speak the truth'

Knetizens were impressed with Shuhua, with one commenting, “I like that Shuhua has strong convictions as a person, she's cool.” “Wow she knows that since she's an idol, what she says may damage her image, but Shuhua is so cool... Seriously what a bright woman,” another said. “And to the people who were scared because they were scared she'd get sworn at in Chinaㅋㅋㅋ You guys sure are old-fashioned, do you think you're being patriotic?” one asked.

One fan tweeted, “Shuhua seriously is the best.” One was proud, “This photo speaks a lot. Who would've thought the youngest in the group will be the one who will speak up about sexual abused, violence against women, artist rights, supports about lgbtq+ with her group I-DLE. Not afraid to speak the truth. An EMPOWERED WOMAN ans aware.” Another said, “It’s really nice to see shuhua, an idol, using her platform to speak about the sexual harassment and violence against women that happened recently.”

One user was annoyed with the double standards in K-pop, “It’s sad that male idols get so much praise for saying something like “Yeah women do deserve rights maybe idk” (go off feminist king 🤪) meanwhile we’re all scared for the backlash she might face from incels.”

Another said, "I really admire shuhua's outspoken personality. not everyone speaks up to injustice this is so real and brave of her, especially considering she's in an industry where every word and action can be subjected to unwarranted criticisms." 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.