Where it all started

It all started when Imelda wrote in a Facebook post:

“I hate K-pop.

Filipinos are losing their identity trying to be like Koreans. Konting pride, please?

Di hamak na mas magaling namang mag-English mga Pinoy kesa Korean. Kala ko ba Chinese nananakop? I think we’re getting it wrong. Lagi na lang tayong sinasakop,”

And it all went downhill from there.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with disliking K-pop. We’re all free to have our own opinions, after all. But disliking K-pop wasn’t the issue here.

So Western influences are ok?

After equating liking K-pop to losing Pinoy pride, she also pointed out that Pinoys are better at speaking English than Koreans. **Newsflash: English is a foreign language.**

Netizens pointed out the hypocrisy, but she doubled down, saying that Western influence is “supreme” and “top-notch”.

Yup, the xenophobia jumped out.

But wait, there’s more

People were already pissed off at Imelda, but she kept going, using Korean stereotypes to make judgy statements like this:

Ayy putangina. Makapag open nga ng Facebook! Not my Tabi. NOT MY SEUNGHYUN, IMELDA! pic.twitter.com/nZBTJ8MYRO

— Shai 👻🐰 (@shaicology) November 23, 2020

There’s no denying that the K-pop industry’s beauty standards are crazy, but just because someone had a nose job doesn’t mean you can look down on their artistry.

Her past stories come back to haunt her

If you’re a public figure, you gotta be ready to face the receipts, cause netizens certainly had them. Soon, one of her old Instagram stories resurfaced. It showed her eating Samgyeopsal (Korean grilled pork belly), and she captioned the photo with “I love Korean food so much”.

Yeah, we don’t know what to make of this either.

The art for her new song is…..yikes

Many were quick to call her out for her new song’s art which appears to be mimicking the portrayal of the Hindu goddess Kali.

Apart from the cultural appropriation (Imelda is Filipino-German), some pointed out that linking this diety to her song “Fuccboi” is straight-up offensive to Hindus who actually worship Kali.

Liking K-Pop doesn’t make you less of a Filipino

Admiring other cultures doesn’t invalidate your Filipino-ness. It doesn’t mean that you’re trying to be Korean. It just means you appreciate good art! Let people like what they like!

And if Imelda Schweighart did some research, she’d know that K-pop fans have actually banded together not just to promote their faves, but have also redirected their passionate energy for the good of society. Recently, K-pop fans raised millions for the victims of the recent typhoons.

Even Vice President Leni has thanked K-Pop fans for their efforts in helping those in need:

Moral of the story: Don’t mess with K-pop fans

Though her racism is the bigger issue here, Imelda chose possibly the worst demographic to mess with by zeroing in on K-pop fans. They’re easily the most passionate, most dedicated, and most organized group on the internet, so by telling Filipino K-pop fans that they lacked Pinoy pride, she basically canceled herself.

But really, why limit yourself to certain cultures when people are creating amazing art all over the world? Yes, K-pop happens to be a huge craze right now, but it’s a global phenomenon — it’s not like Pinoys are the only ones who have caught the hallyu bug.

The bottom line

There’s nothing wrong with liking K-pop. There’s nothing wrong with NOT liking K-pop. However, there is something wrong with xenophobia, and that’s the main issue here.

No one has the right to insult other people’s culture, and in fact, the more we appreciate other cultures, the better the world can become. Imelda has since deleted her Facebook account, so we’re not sure if she’s been able to see much of this discourse, but after all this backlash, we hope she learned a thing or two.

On the bright side, she ended the fan wars. (Temporarily, but we’ll take it.)

never knew that only a former miss earth philippines Imelda Schweighart is the answer to unite all filo kpop stans

— kath (@your_oxychen) November 23, 2020

The K-pop fan wars can be brutal, but at least momentarily, the fandoms set aside their issues and united for a common goal. And that’s beautiful. Thanks, Imelda.

What’s your take on Imelda Schweighart’s remarks about K-Pop? Tell us below!