SHINee member Taemin has issued a public apology after facing backlash for a comment he made about a recent earthquake in Japan.
On July 5 (KST), after performing at Show! Music Core in Japan’s Belluna Dome, Taemin went live on a livestream with fellow SHINee member Minho. During their chat, Taemin said, “There was a prediction about the earthquake, right? But everything is still safe, so you really don’t need to worry.”
When Minho asked, “Who was worried?”, Taemin responded, “Me. I was worried the stage might shake while I was singing. I’m very intuitive. I imagined everything shaking like in 3D during the climax of ‘Idea’, with fireworks and flames going off.” He laughed while saying this, which upset many viewers.
Fans and netizens quickly criticized the remarks, saying he appeared to make light of a natural disaster. Earthquakes are a serious and frequent concern in Japan, and many felt his tone was inappropriate.
In response, Taemin posted a written apology on July 6 through his social media. He admitted his comment was “careless” and said he now understands the seriousness of the situation.
Taemin’s full statement (English translation):
“Hello, this is Taemin.
I sincerely apologize for the careless comment I made about the earthquake, which came from a desire to reassure fans who were worried. I now realize that I failed to consider the circumstances of those affected and the dangers of natural disasters, and I deeply regret speaking so lightly.
I was also very concerned myself and feel relieved that no serious damage occurred. From now on, I will be more thoughtful and careful in what I say.
Thank you.”
Fans appreciated the apology, with many hoping the incident serves as a reminder to public figures about the importance of being mindful with their words, especially in sensitive situations.
