In a dazzling display of tone-deafness, Super Junior Siwon has managed to do the one thing K-pop idols are perpetually advised against: wade into Western politics, and not just any part of it – the far-right cesspool. Naturally, it went about as well as expected.
It all began when American right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA (aka the unofficial fan club of Donald Trump), was shot and killed during an event at a university. Kirk, who built his brand spewing out homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, and just a healthy dash of sexism, has long been known for being the loudest megaphone in the MAGA echo chamber.
But for reasons best known only to him, Super Junior Siwon thought this was his moment to shine – and posted condolences online mourning Kirk’s death. Fans were immediately outraged. Many pointed out that Kirk was no “innocent educator,” but a provocateur who once called transgender people “a throbbing middle finger to God” and warned America that “Islam is the sword the left is using to slit the throat of America.” Ah, yes, truly a tragic loss for humanity.
Siwon’s Explanation: Sincere or Selectively Blind?
In response to the backlash, Siwon posted a now-deleted message trying to justify his stance. He wrote:
“He was a Christian, the head of a household, and a husband. Regardless of the circumstances, the fact that he lost his life in a shooting while giving a lecture in front of countless college students is a heartbreaking tragedy beyond any political stance.”
Siwon also claimed that his original post was misunderstood, and while he was “grateful for the media’s attention” (humble brag, much?), he decided to take it down because he felt his “sincere heart” had already been conveyed. Apparently, sincerity now trumps basic awareness.
Fans Aren’t Buying It: #SIWON_OUT Trends
But fans weren’t having it.
One user wrote, “By using religion as a shield, he basically implied he knew about Kirk’s nasty stance about Muslims, women, gun violence—but because he’s Christian, oh well!” Another added, “People who died in Gaza were also family men and Christians. Church also ruined by bombs. They are also human. Open your eyes @siwonchoi.”
The hashtag #SIWON_OUT quickly began trending. Fans slammed Siwon’s response as empty damage control. “He was a family man and a husband? So were the thousands of fathers and husbands vilified by Kirk and MAGA—murdered in Palestine, murdered in Ukraine, deported and tortured by ICE,” one account posted.
A Global Misstep with Global Consequences
Let’s be clear here: this isn’t about disagreeing on tax policy. This is about openly mourning a man who publicly labeled transgender people “abominations” and warned that Islam and Marxism were tag-teaming to destroy America. And Super Junior Siwon thought this was the time for a thoughtful eulogy?
If this was an attempt at global relatability, Siwon might want to fire his PR team—or, better yet, listen to them next time.
Fans have made it abundantly clear: praising someone like Charlie Kirk isn’t “misunderstood sincerity.” It’s a colossal misstep. And if Siwon is hoping for forgiveness, he may want to start by actually reading up on who he’s mourning.
Because defending a man who thought diversity was a threat to national security? That’s not a good look—even if you say it in perfect English.
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