Singer JK Kim Dong-wook. [Newsis]
Singer JK Kim Dong-wook. [Newsis]

Singer JK Kim Dong-wook has defended Baejae High School players who sparked controversy for directing a mocking chant at a rival team during a high school baseball game.

On Tuesday, JK Kim Dong-wook wrote on his social media account: "Clearly hit a nerve. Are they really blowing up a little incident that happened while kids were playing baseball?"

He added, "The thuggish behavior of the far-left mob that targets people online — that garbage mentality needs to disappear for good."

The controversy stems from a game played Monday at Mokdong Baseball Stadium in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, between Gwangju Jeil High School and Baejae High School as part of the 81st Cheongnonggi National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League Finals. During the match, some Baejae players repeatedly chanted "Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks" toward the Gwangju Jeil dugout.

Critics said the chant was a mocking reference to the so-called "May 18 Tank Day" promotional controversy involving Starbucks Korea the previous month.

After the chant drew backlash, Baejae High School posted an apology on its website, saying it was "sincerely sorry for the deep hurt and disappointment caused to the Gwangju Jeil players, their parents, alumni, Gwangju citizens and many others by the inappropriate chant from some student athletes."

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said it is reviewing whether to launch a probe into Baejae High School over the incident.

JK Kim Dong-wook is a Canadian singer who has been open about his political views, having declared his support for former President Yoon Suk Yeol during the impeachment crisis in 2024.


choigo@heraldcorp.com