Singer Park Hye-won [Newsis]
Singer Park Hye-won [Newsis]

The agency of singer Park Hye-won (stage name HYNN) has responded to a controversy that erupted after Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok took the stage during her performance at a local festival, bringing it to a halt.

A representative from her agency New Order said Sunday, "Various situations arise during performances. We will continue to do our best in singing, whatever the circumstances."

The incident occurred Thursday at the opening ceremony of the 21st Sunchang Fermented Sauce Festival in Sunchang-gun, North Jeolla Province. Park had sung two songs and was preparing for the next when the emcee introduced Kim to the stage, prompting her to step aside.

Kim greeted the crowd by saying, "Sunchang is great for its fermented sauces, its people, and because it is the hometown of Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young, who is working hard in our government, and the constituency of lawmaker Park Hee-seung."

Video footage of the moment spread on social media, sparking debate over whether it was appropriate for a politician to take the stage and deliver remarks in the middle of a performance.

As the controversy grew, Kim posted an apology on social media Sunday, saying, "There was a situation during the performance at the Sunchang-gun festival for which I am sorry to the singer and the audience." He added, "I first want to apologize to singer Park Hye-won and the audience for the inconvenience caused."

Kim explained that he had not intended to address the crowd during the performance, but was unexpectedly called up by the emcee while looking around the venue. "I again apologize to the singer and the audience for the inconvenience," he said.

Meanwhile, Park rose to prominence after finishing in the top three on Mnet's talent show "Superstar K 2016" and made her official debut in December 2018 with the single "Let Me Out." Her 2019 track "Like Watering a Wilted Flower" later climbed the music charts and broadened her public following.


husn7@heraldcorp.com