KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11, 2015:
The organiser of a K-Pop concert issued an apology after a viral video depicting B1A4 band members from South Korea touching, hugging and kissing tudung-clad Malay girls on the stage surfaced on social media.
Ina statement today, TGM Events clarified that the fans went on stage willingly.
“We apologise in all sincerity for the problems caused to the artistes and their fans caused by these reports.
“In future events, we will take into consideration the cultural and religious implications of the interaction between fans and artistes.”
However, according to TGM Events, as a company run primarily by women, it did not and would never condone molestation or sexual harassment, as alleged by a particular media outlet, which it did not identify.
“The terminology used was taken out of context and it is extremely disappointing to us to witness an act of such irresponsible journalism.”
In explaining circumstances behind the events, the company said that during the concert, the fans who appeared on stage were selected at random, based on questions that they posted on a message board with only their first name.
“The artistes, artiste management and us did not know who the selected fans were until they were brought on stage.”
The company said that while it was not a standard protocol for K-POP artistes to get up close and personal with fans, this was a special meet-the-fan event and the programme was tailored towards fan engagement and interaction.
“Before the event in question took place, the MC (announcer) instructed the fans to not touch or get too close to the members of the group.
“Upon revealing the parody clip to be acted out, the group members asked and clarified with the selected fans if they were uncomfortable with the activity.”
TGMEvents stressed that as it did not discriminate against any fan based on their race and religion, its programme was tailored to the preferences of the general target audience.
It was not within their authority or jurisdiction, it stressed, to restrict fans from activities that they willingly partook in.
In view of the threats against the said fans, the company also announced that it would not be releasing any information on them as it did not condone online harassment.
A three-minute 20 second video uploaded by Sukan Star TV, titled “Malay girls molested on stage by K-Pop artist yesterday”, saw a K-Pop star hugging one girl from behind across the chest. When the girl turned around to face the star, she hugged him again voluntarily briefly.
After the artiste hugged the other girls who came on stage, they responded and hugged them back.
In the video, the girls on stage looked nervous yet excited to be in the presence of these musicians, triggering fierce backlash among netizens, with some The Rakyat Post readers asking them to remove their headscarves or to just remove all their clothes as it made no difference after their actions.
Another reader blamed the event organiser, saying: “The organisers need to explain to any artistes coming to Malaysia about the rules and what they should and shouldn’t do in this country.
“Not all of these K-Pop singers know that they cannot touch a Muslim woman.
“I’m sure if you make it clear to them, this issue could have been avoided.”
See our earlier story (with video):
“Tudung clad Malays girls, hugged and kissed onstage by K-Pop artistes”
Post time 12-1-2015 07:34 AM
yg ni xde plk jantan2 kt luar tu lahar 
x pasal2 yg lain pn kena tempias padahal ramai je yg minat kpop elok jah perangai...
Post time 12-1-2015 08:22 AM
Author
Terhina noks...terhina abam2 leluhur kiter...
