On June 11, SBS drama 'Penthouse 3' aired an episode where they introduced viewers to a new character, Alex, who is from the United States. While this may have been an attempt to add to the plot twist of the highly popular drama, many viewers have found the character portrayal offensive.
In the recently aired episode, Alex, played by actor Park Eun Seok, walked into the scene with dreads and spoke in a way that resembled African American Vernacular English (AAVE). These actions are considered to be a form of cultural appropriation and thus, many disturbed international viewers took to Twitter to call out SBS for their actions.
There’s a reason why Black people are protective of our hairstyles, our slang, our culture and our people. Because at the end of the day no matter how much we might love other cultures, this is how we’re represented, this is what they see us as. #boycottpenthouse #SBSwhy https://t.co/axiej2r10I
— Kae King (@TheKaeKing) June 11, 2021
SBS and Penthouse this will never be okay. pic.twitter.com/bwastB09nQ
— kdrama tweets (@iconickdramas) June 11, 2021
also the mocking accent and the entire look is so racist ._. Like I love penthouse but what is this?! Definitely going to drop it. And I’m sorry for everyone feeling mocked by that :/ Hope they’re gonna cancel that character or atleast the mocking look and accent :(
— meriem (@meriem29774457) June 11, 2021
Wtf how did penthouse turn into a mf racist show. Thats it im out THEY RUINED IT pic.twitter.com/IdpLkGXYoN
— Dritt⁷ (@blvckrose13) June 11, 2021
😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐
— ᡕᠵ᠊ᡃ࡚ࠢ࠘ ⸝່ࠡࠣ᠊߯᠆ࠣ࠘ᡁࠣ࠘᠊᠊ࠢ࠘𐡏 ♡ (@RIK3u) June 12, 2021
now penthouse i enjoyed u. but wtf is this racist ass shit https://t.co/sQsuGzDG2D
SBS further gathered criticism from their international audience, for posting still cuts of the character Alex on their official Instagram account.
Fans of the drama series were especially disappointed, as the cast members had just recently stood against racism with their participation in the 'Live Together' campaign. SBS has yet to comment on the issue.
Stay tuned for updates.
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