Fans Express Disappointment Over DAY6 Jae’s Alleged Ableist Tweets – Read Apology Statement
Fans and netizens are not happy with Day6 Jae's recent behavior against a person with disabilities and to his fans following recent and now-deleted tweets.
The issue started when the K-pop band member had a live broadcast using the Twitch platform that allowed him to communicate with fans amidst pandemic. In the broadcast, Jae was listening to music including their company's founder J.Y. Park's songs. He then talked about how fans and supporters of K-pop groups shouldn't take the blame on the veteran singer if their favorite idols are being unfairly treated.
He added in English, "If you guys are going to blame someone, blame the company, not J.Y. okay? Or whatever division they are under." He continued saying that their founder had his respect and defined fans as "Stupid" if they think JYP does s*ck."
See the video HERE.
He, later on, explained that over the past 30 years, J.Y. Park has been recognized and brought various achievements, so if fans think that way, he defined fans as, "you guys are actually stupid if you think he s*cked."
As soon as the broadcast concluded, his fans and netizens had a divided opinion regarding what he behaved.
A lot of fans called him out for being rude towards supporters, and he also acted negatively toward another fandom. In particular, he was apparently got annoyed by insensitive fans who kept on asking if where is Stray Kids (their junior band); thus, he responded, "How the he*ll would I know where Stray Kids are? Does this look like the JYP building for you? Like this is just a room, a training room .. and JYP? Is that what you think?"
See the video HERE.
However, Jae fans also defended him and talked about how he was just being sarcastic, and true fans will know his personality. Also, according to his fans and other netizens, they would really get pissed as well if they are being asked about someone while they are under a different group.
Meanwhile, the issue got bigger when he tried to address it. Some of his tweets responded to comments, such as, "Yes, don't be Captain Obvious when you are already Sergeant Sarcasm," pertaining to the statements he said were pure sarcasm.
Jae responded, "It's a shame so many people don't speak that language yet."
A fan then replied, "I'm neurodivergent Jae." In a context as explained by a netizen, Neurodivergent is a person who possesses neurological disorders including ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, Dyslexia, OCD, etc.
Apparently, the fan wants to express that not everyone catches up with sarcasm. However, Jae responded, "Same, [I have] ADHD and social anxiety [?]"
See HERE for full fan's explanation and full thread.
That statement then sparked ableist allegations, as it seemed like he was invalidating neurodivergent people who can't pick up mood, particularly sarcasm, when he, a person with the same condition, can get what is being sarcastic.
Shortly after, he told the people calling him out to unfollow him and conveyed that he did think through his tweets before posting it.
Earlier, Jae deleted everything and posted his apology statement.
Read the Tweet below:
Though other netizens bashed him again for writing his apology on a notepad, various fans and people who got offended forgave him, and expressed that he is also a person who had limits; nevertheless, he can use his mistakes to reflect and be a better person.
