Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

02-11-2009 17:50

Singer Shin Draws Criticism for Hagwon Commercial
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/02/117_39363.html
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

Shin Hae-chul, a K-pop singer famous for his open and sarcastic criticism of government education policies, is drawing condemnation from Internet users for his appearance in a commercial advertising a private cram school.

Shin appeared on a commercial of a private educational on several daily newspapers Tuesday and it immediately drew controversy among people.

Famed as a singer and producer, Shin has seen more acclaim for his straightforward, malicious language, earning nicknames of ``Mawang,'' or the devil.

He has insisted that standardized education deprives teenage students of their dreams and condemned the educational policy of current government on MBC's 100-Minute Debate and other programs.

In reaction to the fresh criticism against his appearance in an ad for a ``hagwon,'' Shin wrote on his mini homepage, saying, ``Commercials are a way of expressing oneself as an artist. My appearance in the advertisement was the prolongation of my thoughts and it does not clash with my philosophy in education.''

However, netizens said Shin sold out his beliefs for money and his words do not correspond with his actions.

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[wylies99]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

In what other country could you find a pop star advertising an after-school academy where teenage fans can go for more school after they finish school?

[Xuanzang]

I bet if Wondergirls advertised for a hagwon - the enrolment would jump 200%

[The Cosmic Hum]

Shin Hae-Chul wrote:

[Xuanzang]

Maybe the commercials directed by Lagerfeld or Scorsese but him with a bunch of kids in a newspaper? That's just selling out. Not art.

[RACETRAITOR]

Commercials are a big deal in Korea. A lot of people become celebrities just by acting in commercials.

Anyway, this is certainly better than some of his other habits.

[Goku]

Unless he had direct influence of the Hagwon's operations, he's a bloody sell out and is using his position as an education advocate to earn him money.

It's an obvious conflict of interests and he sounds like he's bordering on douchebagery to me.

[crosbystillsstash]

Took him a while to jump into the trough but I don't blame him. education is big money here. He probably thought hey, everyone from the govt. ministers, to the head of Seoul education office makes money off this stuff, so why can't I?

[ChinaBoy]

Who the hell wouldn't advertise if they offered you a bunch of money? Seems pretty smart to me.