2NE1's Dara recently sparked controversy with revelations about her past dating experience with a 14-year-old when she was 19. Last month, a vlog of her getaway to the Philippines with fellow 2NE1 member Minzy surfaced online.
During the trip, Dara shared an amusing anecdote about being approached by a charming guy who turned out to be only 14 years old. Despite the age gap, they went on a few casual dates involving fun activities like games and movies. However, once her true age was exposed post-debut, Dara decided to end the contact.
While Minzy reacted lightheartedly to the story, the online community had mixed responses, criticizing Dara for trivializing a serious issue and normalizing deceptive behavior. In a surprising turn, Dara's production team swiftly took action by re-editing the controversial segment in the video and addressing potential cultural misunderstandings. They also warned against spreading baseless accusations or negative comments about the artist.
The situation escalated as Korean netizens engaged in extensive discussions regarding the incident. Opinions varied, with some questioning the cultural rationale behind such actions and others highlighting the significance of age gaps in relationships, particularly involving minors.
The dialogue surrounding Dara's revelations continued to intensify following the response from her production team, with contrasting viewpoints on how the incident was portrayed and perceived. The scrutiny extended to considerations of international age differentials and societal norms, ultimately fueling a broad conversation within the online community.
As the controversy unfolded, the buzz around 2NE1's 15th-anniversary Seoul encore concert pre-sale added another dimension to the ongoing discourse.