Amid her "kalguksu" controversy, NewJeans Minji, who tried to shut down forced hate towards her, faces to another issue due to her English grammar. Why is it a big deal to K-Netz?

In December 2022, the idol shocked netizens when she revealed that she hadn't tried numerous noodle dishes, such as "kalguksu" (knife-cut noodle soup), which is very common in South Korea.

At the time, she explained that she was afraid of trying out new food that she didn't know of.

Throughout 2023, she was criticized for allegedly lying about never trying or knowing it to fake a "classy" concept, and accused of avoiding "common people's food."

NewJeans Minji Addresses Claims She Doesn't Know 'Kalguksu'

In a recent broadcast, Minji, aware of the situation, finally addressed the issue.

"Stop saying that I haven't eaten it anymore. Everyone, do you really think I don't know what Kalguksu is? What's Kalguksu mean?

Please think about it twice. No. But that's because I don't know what I said I don't know. Everyone, do you know how many kinds of kalguksu are, what's in it and what ingredients they make? Do you guys know all that?"

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Based on her explanation, it was clarified that Minji said she didn't know, but it meant that she had never tried Kalguksu.

NewJeans Minji Criticized for Grammar: 'Please think twice...'

Despite her clarification, NewJeans Minji continued to receive hateful comments for lying that she hadn't tried "Kalguksu." People also revealed photos where Minji visited a Kalguksu restaurant and even left her sign there.

On top of this, she was also criticized for her English grammar, where she particularly said, "What's kalguksu mean?" instead of "Kalguksu? What does it mean?/What does Kalguksu mean?"

Korean netizens once again mocked her for being "trying hard" to fit in the "classy" concept, and compared her to kindergartens who are even better at speaking English.

Here are some of the comments:

• "You have to use the verb mean to write, 'what does kalguksu mean' but this native village girl doesn't know that."
• "But even the kindergarten student who was passing by would know that the regular verb "do" should be added. Except for fake English speaker Jeon Cheong Jo (a reference to a fraudster)."

• "It's not really grammatically incorrect since it's like that when you say it colloquially. But what she said just doesn't really fit the situation."
• "Everyone is young. This is why you should stop making female debuts at a young age. She's immature yet and not good at dealing with people like them."
• "Minji, what's wrong with your attitude?"
• "She's so immature for the oldest group member."
• "Please think twice before saying something."

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Written by Eunice Dawson.