RIIZE’s Eunseok faces backlash after using racial slur with childhood photo online
Photo: Billboard
K-pop boyband RIIZE's member Eunseok has issued an apology after facing criticism for language used in a now-deleted social media post featuring a childhood photograph.
According to reports, Eunseok shared the image via Bubble, showing himself as a child wearing a yellow polo shirt and a black sun hat while appearing tanned.
In the caption, he used the Korean term “kkamdungi” to describe his appearance, prompting mixed reactions among fans.
라이즈 은석 깜둥이 썼다가 지움…!
은석아 그 단어 인종차별 용어로도 쓰이니까 앞으로 조심해 ㅎㅎ.. pic.twitter.com/WeCVyyjz6AWhile some supporters argued that the term can be used in a casual or playful context in Korean, others expressed concern, noting that it can carry derogatory connotations towards people with darker skin.
Some fans relying on translation tools interpreted the word as comparable to a N-word which is a racial slur, further intensifying the backlash.
Criticism continued across social media platforms, with some users emphasising the importance of awareness when using language that may be interpreted differently by international audiences.
One netizen wrote, “Let’s not act like this isn’t a racial slur/he didn’t know what he was saying in the year of our Lord 2026. Approach ANY Korean here and they will tell you what that word means. He messed up. BIG TIME.”
Eunseok addressed the controversy in a follow-up message on Bubble, writing, “Yesterday, I used an inappropriate expression while sending a photo of my childhood. I apologize to those who were offended by my thoughtless and inappropriate choice of words. Although I realized my mistake yesterday and deleted the post immediately, my heart felt heavy thinking about those who were already hurt, so I decided to send this Bubble message again. I will think and act more carefully in the future. I sincerely apologize.”
The incident has renewed discussion about cultural sensitivity within the global K-pop industry, where artists increasingly communicate with diverse audiences.