‘SNL Korea’ Faces Backlash for Xenophobic Portrayal of NewJeans’ Hanni and Mockery of Nobel Laureate Han Kang

In its latest episode aired on October 19, ‘SNL Korea’ found itself at the center of controversy after parodies that many viewers have labeled insensitive and xenophobic. The sketches involved a portrayal of NewJeans’ Hanni, as well as a depiction of Nobel laureate Han Kang, both of which have sparked widespread criticism from the public.

Portrayal of NewJeans’ Hanni Sparks Accusations of Xenophobia

One of the key parodies involved Hanni, a member of the popular K-pop group NewJeans, who recently made headlines when she appeared as a reference witness at a National Assembly audit on October 15. Hanni testified in a workplace bullying case, urging for greater respect in professional environments. In the parody, Ji Ye Eun—an actress on the show—portrayed Hanni, mimicking her emotional testimony in an exaggerated manner. She also amplified Hanni’s Australian accent, which many viewers found offensive.

Viewers expressed outrage on social media, claiming that ‘SNL Korea’ crossed a line by mocking someone who had bravely testified in a formal setting. Critics pointed out that by intentionally distorting Hanni’s accent, the show perpetuated xenophobic stereotypes. Several netizens voiced their concerns:

“Intentionally making her speech awkward and mocking the victim comes off as xenophobic.”

Another user commented:

“She’s a young woman in her early twenties who bravely testified at the National Assembly—do they really want to mock her like this?”

Many expressed frustration that ‘SNL Korea’ seemed to disregard the gravity of the topic, reducing a serious issue to mere comedic material.

Parody of Nobel Prize Winner Han Kang Draws Further Criticism

The episode also targeted Han Kang, the first South Korean author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Actress Kim Ah Young played Han Kang in the skit, imitating her voice and demeanor, including her posture and facial expressions. Once again, the public responded negatively.

Netizens questioned the relevance and taste of parodying such a prominent figure in South Korean literature, with comments like:

“Are we supposed to find this funny?”

Another added:

“I don’t understand why they parodied this at all.”

Repeated Controversies for ‘SNL Korea’

This is not the first time ‘SNL Korea’ has faced public backlash for its controversial content. In September, during an episode hosted by Kim Sung Kyun, the show was criticized for mocking LE SSERAFIM’s Coachella performance. A month earlier, in August, another episode hosted by Jeon Jong Seo was called out for ridiculing content from well-known YouTubers like misstada and Ryu’s Penna.

Despite numerous controversies, ‘SNL Korea’ continues to push boundaries with its comedic sketches, often sparking debates about the fine line between humor and insensitivity. The latest backlash raises questions about how far the show can go before its parodies cross into offensive territory.

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