London-based YouTuber Sungdo You, known by his online alias “londonoppa,” has ignited a fiery online debate after capturing a police interaction on camera that many are calling racial profiling. The popular content creator, who boasts millions of followers across YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), shared a video recounting an encounter with a police officer that left him feeling targeted and confused.
The video, which has since gone viral across social media platforms, shows Sungdo peacefully enjoying a burger when a police officer approaches him. The officer inquires whether Sungdo is a local resident, and then proceeds to question him about the camera he’s using, seemingly mistaking it for a dashcam.
The situation quickly escalates as the officer delves deeper into Sungdo’s background, asking about his origins, legal status in the UK, travel route, visa, and identification. The interrogation concludes with the officer even requesting Sungdo’s YouTube channel name.
Sungdo, clearly shaken by the experience, uploaded the video to his social media accounts, posing a direct question to his viewers: Was this a case of racial profiling?
The video has struck a chord with viewers worldwide, garnering a combined 9.3 million views across YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) at the time of writing.
Korean viewers are particularly divided on the issue. While some strongly condemned the officer’s actions as blatant racial profiling, urging Sungdo to file a formal complaint with evidence in hand, others defended the officer, contending that he was simply doing his duty given the rising concerns over illegal immigration in England. Some Korean viewers even expressed a desire for similar practices to be implemented in their home country.
- He did his job as a police officer.
There are a lot of illegal immigrants in Europe, so I think theyโre asking after due process.
Where is racism?
Itโs not like youโre openly Chinese- Racism. This is serious social profiling. Of course, there is no apology โฆ but strongly complain to local councilors, police, etc. There is also a video of evidence, so report it to the BBC and other media. Otherwise, it will continue to be like this.
- Is this really discrimination? Itโs very gentle. I think itโs good for the police to suddenly check if there is a social problem as an illegal resident. I hope our country does the sameโฆ
- Thatโs racism.
- This is totally racial profiling. You must have been embarrassed and upset ๐ฅฒ
- The point here is that he needs to see if heโs an illegal alien or not by his appearance alone, his race, or his clothing. Wouldnโt it be strange to just eat hamburgers and shoot a YouTube video? Well, if you have any convincing suspicions about him, whether heโs walking down the street begging, showing signs of evasion by the police, or anything like that. Appearance alone is plain discrimination.
Comments from viewers in the United Kingdom, however, paint a different picture. Many British viewers, including those of Asian descent, expressed disbelief and disapproval of the officer’s conduct. The consensus among these viewers was that the stop was unnecessary and racially motivated.
The video has ignited a global conversation about racial profiling, with viewers divided on whether the officer’s actions were justified. Sungdo’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the racial biases that can persist in law enforcement, leaving many to question the true motives behind such encounters.
