Are you a fan of Eric Nam?
Eric Nam, the Korean-American singer-songwriter, has gained widespread popularity across the globe, including in Malaysia. Recently, he unveiled his House on a Hill tour, which had Malaysia as one of its anticipated stops.
However, it appears that his planned visit to Malaysia is now in jeopardy due to a backlash from local fans triggered by his recent Instagram activity, where he liked a pro-Israel post.
It all started on October 7, when Eric Nam liked a post by political strategist Jordan C. Brown-Underwood, who criticized the recent actions of Hamas fighters. In the post, Brown-Underwood argued that it is entirely reasonable and logical to both condemn the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians and advocate for the protection of Jews in Israel and around the world.
didn’t expect it from eric nam but imagine if idols were allowed to express their political views, i’d probably be stanning 4 people in the industry imo pic.twitter.com/VuyJcVqtRB
— ℰlena ⟡ | 樂-✩ (@SSICK3RACHA) October 16, 2023
Subsequently, numerous Malaysian fans voiced their concerns on social media, highlighting Eric Nam's actions and calling for a boycott of his upcoming concert in Malaysia. As negative comments continued to pour in, some vigilant fans noticed that he removed the listing for the Malaysian tour the previous week. However, Nam remained silent on the matter until recently when he addressed it on X. He revealed that he had received threats related to his scheduled concert in Kuala Lumpur, which led him and his team to make the challenging decision to cancel the show.
Hi everyone - following the horrific events of October 7th, I liked a post that I believed expressed a position of anti-violence, anti-hate and was against intolerance.
— Eric Nam (에릭남) (@ericnamofficial) October 30, 2023
My liking of that post was a reaction to waking up to devastating news, as someone who has always been… pic.twitter.com/GyMx4Fuii0
In his post, Eric Nam explains that he had "liked" the post in response to the distressing news that he woke up to. He emphasized that he has consistently advocated for humanity, peace, love, and equality for all. Furthermore, he reaffirmed his neutral position and expressed deep sorrow for the Palestinian and Israeli families who have suffered the tragic consequences of violence and are enduring unimaginable losses.
Nam Still Facing Backlash By Netizens Online
Although he tried to explanation about the situation and emphasised his neutral stance, the consequences were already underway, and many fans continued to voice their criticism in the comments. His brother and manager attempted to address the issue through Discord, but this effort only heightened the anger and generated more questions. Eric Nam ultimately chose to end his silence and respond to the situation on X.
eric nam is a joke of a human pic.twitter.com/eMEUW1d8lk
— ۟ (@wonnnwoo) October 28, 2023
Here’s some of the comments by netizens online:
It’s like saying my heart broken for korean and japanese families during Japanese occupation in Korea. Lol
— r (@rxxakixx) October 30, 2023
Bro cepat koyak sama pihak sana
— haeden 🧸 (@scnflcwcr_) October 30, 2023
Sorry but... I don't think you know what's really happening and you're just saying this because of the backlash.
— 이영재 🦁 (@Youngjae_Lee295) October 30, 2023
we are all for peace where there is absolutely zero possibilities for 'neutrality' in genocide and apartheid of 75 years. your background shows you definitely knew that it wasn't just about 7/10
— kimi (@prettiestkei) October 30, 2023
You can always go to Israel and hold your concert there (if those racist israelis ever wanted an Asian like you there. Good luck)
— Arif~ (@arifshafiq_) October 30, 2023
But we didnt see you liking any Pro Palestine post if you claimed you are so neutral pro human pro peace. You have definitely chosen ur side. Stop clowning.
— 𝐙𝐀𝐑𝐀🩷 (@ZARA__818) October 30, 2023
And threats? WHO R U?
Look at yourself in the mirror.
You are irrelevant. Least u can do is trying to educate yourself…
What Has Been Going On In Palestine And How Many Victims Have There Been?
For additional context, the longstanding conflict between Palestine and Israel traces its origins back to the late 19th century. In 1947, the United Nations introduced Resolution 181, commonly known as the "Partition Plan," which aimed to partition the British Mandate of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states.
Over the years, Israel has gradually encroached on Palestinian territory, fuelling ongoing conflict that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians. As illustrated in the data above, between 2000 and 2023, the majority of casualties were Palestinians due to multiple Israeli offensives, including recent airstrikes that have led to the loss of over 8,000 lives, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
Subsequently, the United Nations called for a vote on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and numerous world leaders have voiced their opinions on the conflict, some even providing financial aid to support the Palestinian people during these challenging times.
Read: Anwar Ibrahim Exposes Western Pressure Over Malaysia's Support for Palestine
Read: Elon Musk To Offer Starlink Connectivity To Gaza Amid Communication Blackout
When delving deeper into the realm of celebrities, it becomes evident that both Malaysians and international audiences are inclined towards embracing the concept of cancel culture, especially considering the instances where several celebrities and even sports organizations have shown support for Israel during the ongoing conflict.
Undoubtedly, it is our hope that other celebrities, such as Eric Nam, will draw valuable lessons from such incidents. The events unfolding in Palestine represent a significant violation of basic human rights, and we fervently pray for a swift end to the ongoing war.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media, Eric Nam, Malay Mail & various cross-references for context.
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