Available to watch on YouTube now, the music video for DNA remix caused quite the stir over appropriation allegations.
Jay Park has now spoken out in response to the backlash, penning a lengthy note.
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Why did the DNA remix music video cause a stir?
Released 14th June, the DNA remix music video left some viewers feeling as though other cultures were appropriated.
In the video (above), Jay appears with braided hair and a tattooed chest – an image that many have likened with African-American communities.
Furthermore, Jay Park disclosed that his PR team advised against uploading the music video, stating: “(they told us) not to post this video… But i didnt wanna hide the Korean hip hop culture. This is what Hip hop kids look like in Korea and I wanted to showcase it and address it to the best of my ability to let the world know where we coming from.”
However, many viewers have argued that the video rarely showcases Korean culture.
How did Jay Park respond to backlash?
After receiving almost immediate backlash for the video, Jay Park jumped to the comment section in attempt to defend the video.
The star wrote: “The Black and Latino people created Hip Hop. We understand that and think it is amazing and are grateful that you’ve shared it with the world. Hip Hop make us feel liberated and empowered. It gives us an out let to have our voice be heard and to express ourselves in a way society might not deem fit. We didnt get the best grades or go to college and we are not a doctor or a lawyer so it gives us a sense of belonging and value. Gives us hope and motivation that we can switch up our situation if we put our hearts and minds to it and can make something from nothing.”
He continued: “We dont see color. We feel like we’re brothers and sisters in Hip hop which i feel like is a universal language which goes beyond race color and religion. Do we want to be black? No. Although we friends of color and are influenced by black culture and love and support it heavily we are proud to be Korean and wouldnt trade it for the world Can we relate to the black struggle? No but there are certain elements that we can relate and identify with. Every country every culture every person has some type of pain or struggle in their life.”
“There is no other genre that portrays that so honestly other than hip hop Do i think its Ok for Korean rappers to have dreads? I might not necessarily agree with it but who am i to say dont do that. Just because i dont agree with something their doing does not mean i cant appreciate them as ppl.”
He ended the message with a simple ‘Peace and love’.
Read the full comment here.
Fans react on Twitter
Unsurprisingly, Twitter had a lot to say on the matter.
One user tweeted: “how’s jay park gonna claim dna remix is inspired by coming to terms and learning about his korean identity when 80% of the ppl in that video make their brand appropriating black culture.”
Likewise, somebody else wrote: “i opened the dna remix video and the first thing i saw was jay park’s braids and i knew i had to dip already.”
Another took to Twitter to write: “the “dna remix” is a song for “salute to the k-hiphop scene” but yet everyone in the m/v were culturally appropriating like there was no tmrw and now you put out this b.s “apology” full of excuses. y’all should’ve just pulled up in a hanbok or sum jay park…”
Another displeased Twitter user wrote: “I knew It! I knew it was gonna be a whole war after seeing the first seconds of DNA remix MV. I think Jay Park doesn’t realise the amount of people that have been on his neck this past year, he’s just asking for it at this point. Man should have listened to Julie and not post it.”
What are your thoughts on the DNA remix music video?
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