Sowon: K-pop star criticised for posting flirtatious photos with Nazi mannequin

Sowon, a member of the hit K-pop girl group GFriend, has been criticised after posing for lighthearted photos with a mannequin dressed in Nazi uniform.

In an Instagram post which has since been deleted, the singer, real name Kim So-Jung, shared two images of herself next to a figure wearing historical German military clothing.

The photos were taken behind the scenes of a video shoot tied into GFriend’s recent album, Walpurgis Night.

In a statement provided to The Independent, the artist’s label, Source Music, said: “We would like to offer a sincere apology for the issues caused by video clips from the behind-the-scenes footage of GFriend’s comeback show as well as photographs uploaded by GFriend member Sowon.”

The label confirmed that the photos were taken last November, in a cafe in Paju, Gyeonggi-do. 

The statement continued: “Staff members tasked with reviewing the site on the day of the shoot failed to realise that there were serious issues with the clothing and props on the mannequins. Subsequently, internal reviews and discussions also did not recognise these issues before the behind-the-scenes clips (12 December) and photographs (31 January) were uploaded.

“We would like to apologise for failing to recognise prior to the shoot that there were inappropriate props located on the premises, neglecting to carry out a careful review of the footage and photographs before uploading them, and failing to maintain sufficient awareness of issues with vast historical and social implications.”

The statement also confirmed that Sowon had “immediately deleted” the photos after being made “aware” of the contents. 

“She is feeling a profound sense of responsibility and deep regret for having uploaded the photographs,” added the statement.

When the images were first circulated on social media, GFriend fans had called on Sowon to apologise for the post. 

“I'm disappointed of s0won but i'm glad she deleted [sic],” wrote one Twitter user. “She needs to apologise tho. Nazis are not friends or someone you can hug or look so lovingly at, they are killers, they killed 6 million Jews out of them 1.5 million Jewish children.”

Wrote another: “I've been a buddy for a long time and I love them with all my heart. However, I also do think that Sowon and all of them should apologise. Be responsible, sensitive and accountable enough, Gfriend. You owe all of us an explanation and apology.”

“I do NOT want to see ‘well Sowon maybe didn’t know’ or ‘Koreans do not know about this topic’,” wrote someone else. “THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR A WOMAN BORN IN 1995 NOT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED OR WHAT THE UNIFORM SYMBOLISED!”

In the statement addressing the controversy, Source Music also said: “We will strive to make ourselves more aware of the fact that the content we create and share affects a wide audience. We will exercise vigilance to ensure we are fully aware of historical and social issues and their impact.”

“Please allow us to once again offer our sincerest apology to everyone to whom we caused pain and distress by the videos and photographs.”