The recent news surrounding G-Dragon’s Shine a Light concert caused a great ruckus in the KPop world, especially among his fans. For those who have no idea as to what I am talking about, click here and here. G-Dragon (real name: Kwon JiYong), leader of the awesome Big Bang, recently held his solo concert on 5th December 2009. Apparently, according to fan reports, during one of his performances, “Breathe”, he was literally dry humping his dancer on a bed on stage. To add to that ‘misconduct’, he sang 2 songs (“She’s Gone” and “Korean Dream”) that were reportedly labelled as inappropriate as it contained vulgarities. These acts landed him a ticket to be interrogated for his ‘improper’ behaviour in public. Why, you ask, is this wrong?
Well, since he did not set an age restriction for his concert, it is inevitable that minors were part of the audience. Obviously, such acts are considered inappropriate for their pure minds. Furthermore,
Personally, it all boils down to PERCEPTION. The process whereby we make sense of the world around us, perception is influenced by both psychological and social factors. Whatever we see, hear and experience, undergoes a thorough process before we finally perceive things. We select, organise and eventually interpret the information before forming our own conclusion of it. How is it applicable here? The fans who went weren’t complaining, so why did the ‘authorities’ interfere? I shall attempt to break down their thought process upon arriving to such conclusions, for both the fans and the authorities.
In the eyes of the authorities, G-Dragon’s stage stunt totally crossed the line. Since he is a singer/musician and a role model to many (personal constructs, cognitive schemata), he should not have performed an explicit bed scene especially since there were minors. Furthermore, as his concert had no age restrictions, all the more he had ‘no right’ to perform such acts on stage. His role as a singer and position in society made the authorities take action. In addition, the responsible figures might also have been concerned about how his actions and his obscene act can affect the audiences’ future behaviour (punctuation). For example, the minors may take it the wrong way and assume that public display of over affection is acceptable in their community. When this happens, they may bring said value to their future and practise it (interpretation). Like mentioned, South
The fans, on the other hand, have a different story to tell. According to fan accounts, many were unperturbed by his bed scene, saying that it was no worse than any Western films with bed scenes in them (But hey! You really can’t compare because western culture and Korean culture is different). Being fans, they probably think that as a singer/musician, G-Dragon has a task to carry out, that is, to entertain and satisfy the fans with his music and performance. Instead of zeroing on the figure (the focus of attention) like what the authorities are doing, the fans take the whole concert as a package by itself (the ground i.e. the entire environment), not just a single performance, to conclude GD’s whole show. Despite their conservative culture, it is without a doubt that the youngsters are moving away from the norm and adapting a more Westernised lifestyle. They are more open minded to such exposure and would obviously not follow blindly the actions of their idols.
I guess it is reasonable that the authorities are interrogating him. Despite the absence of an age restriction to his concert, I am quite sure that the fans know what to expect in GD’s concert. And since the fans weren’t complaining, shouldn’t the authorities just let it go? As William Shakespeare said, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”. We see what we want to see and we perceive things as who we are. Undoubtedly, our surroundings (culture, family, society) play a part in influencing our thought process but ultimately, we interpret it as how we would like it to be.
“A primary function of art and thought is to liberate the individual from the tyranny of his culture in the environmental sense and to permit him to stand beyond it in an autonomy of perception and judgement.” - Beverly Sills
I think GD did just that and then some.
Watch the video and do share your opinion! :D
"We see what we want to see and we perceive things as who we are", i agree with this statement as a perception can be something subconsciously willed by us. If a die-hard fan loves a certain celebrity ever so much, nothing would shake his or her ideal perception. No bubble would burst till one allows himself/herself to acknowledge the bubble bursting.
ReplyDeleteThis is also applicable to romantic relationships where when one half is so in love and devoted, no fault of the other would be apparent.
This sort of perceptions are mostly emotionally ruled though subconsciously executed. For instance, most fans do not intend to appear as psycho beings and stalk their celebrity crushes, but they come off doing so because of their perception that is ruled chiefly by strong emotions, pushes logic aside.
Meanwhile, awesome quote from Shakespeare!
I think that he's just trying to shock the audience. Like Adam Lambert! But minus the kissing of the keyboardist dude. Bet he'll be even more popular if he does that. ;) Brace yourselves for there'll be more (lewd) acts to follow.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this issue is definitely subjective to individual's perceptions, but I think that by not having an age restriction for his concert, the least GD could do was to make sure that his performances were suitable for the general public. Without doubt his fans would take his side on this, but those who are against his actions have valid reasons why.
ReplyDeleteBut are our perceptions really ours? Society has constructed our lives such that we think in a similar way, especially along the lines of distinguishing what is right and wrong. Definitely, there will be a few who choose to go against these societal norms. At the same time, globalization has made it hard for societies known to be more on the conservative side to hold on to their traditions and values with the constant injection of Western culture into our daily lives.
Of course, the interference of the authorities is expected and appreciated in this situation so as to prevent such disturbing events to repeat. John Stuart Mill's Harm Principle states that one can limit another's freedom when he is about to cause harm to others. "What kind of harm?" you ask. Psychological harm to the younger generation such that their minds are polluted with the suggestive actions of GD.
Rather, this will be an argument on drawing the line between conservative and liberal, no doubt it will be a difficult one. Once again, it all boils down to perception.
When we "perceive" what we see, we do make our own decision. That decision is really an outcome of our own mental processes leading us to make a decision, unconsciously...
ReplyDeleteThese decisions vary to everyone, due to different upbringing and values.
The Korean authorities is justified in questioning this as the ability to analyse behaviour and learn especially, for the young ones, is in question.
I will have to agree on how we form perception. It is both psychological and sociological. It is from what we experience in life and also what we were taught by our parents when we were still kids. We often tend to form closure based on people's appearance and we will base on the two aspect I mentioned earlier on. It may be shallow on our part but I guess that is the only way we perceive others without verbal communications.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I didn't see anything wrong with it because I am very used to seeing worse stuff on television. But I agree, we cannot compare Western and Korean culture. The Korean people are still relatively conservative.
ReplyDeleteI think, of course, that GD has to take some blame here. He knew about the choreography beforehand, he had to know that it wasn't as "clean" as to allow minors to watch. He might have felt that it was fine, but watching it, it makes me question if you would show that to, say, your 10-year-old cousin?
His group mate, Taeyang, did have a solo concert and it had an appropriate rating. So there is no reason why GD couldn't have imposed a similar one.
But, we all know netizens like to pick on everything. :\
Perspective. The world is full of them. In fact, life is a huge perspective. Agreeing or disagreeing? Perspective. Liking or disliking? Perspective. Right or wrong? Perspective. Posting a comment about perspectives? Perspective.
ReplyDeleteBut perspective is not only reliant on taking one side out of two. It also varies how extreme we view things.
For this case, were the authorities right in interfering? Yes and no. But within the two camps, we could have cases such as "yes, they were right, but probably what they did was not enough" versus "yes, but what they did was too harsh". Perspective.
Extremism: again perspectives. It is born through how some choose to see things or read things or how it should be done. Perspective.
Life is full of perspectives.
I would interpret the issue strictly as a matter of law. The concert had no enforced age-restriction, thus the onus is on the show's organisers to ensure that the content on display would be suitable for all ages. Clearly, this Dragon fella flouted that clause. So now he's being acted upon by the authorities in accordance with the law.
ReplyDeleteSimply put, this is what happened:
1) Show must be PG
2) Dragon turned it into NC-16
3) Authorities shut him down
Perspectives on this are irrelevant, as the authorities are fully justified in carrying out their function as upholders of social order. If anybody in Korea has a problem with this, they should appeal to change that social order, not castigate the government which is only doing its duty to the people.
GD makes awesome music.
ReplyDeletei digress. anyway, like adil said, i also feel that is a matter of law. artist expression aside, as a citizen and a working professional in korea, he has the obligation to abide by the rules of his country.
but as fans have commented, they thought that GD put up a good concert and they enjoyed the presentation of his performance. i guess they perceive that GD was doing his job and he did hell of a good job
it is how people perceive it. fans of his might think that it is just a service to his fans and it might also be a marketing strategy for his company.
ReplyDeletehowever, as a korean himself, he should know what his country actually permits and not. as he is also an icon that many look up too, he should at least potray a more positive side of himself and not a side that might lead many to having a negative impression of him.
Maybe he was just trying to pull an 'A-kon'
ReplyDeleteSame thing happened to A-kon sometime ago where he was dry humping a minor.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1r7h5_singer-akon-dry-humps-14-year-old_music
Now watch this video after that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYd99SfJueA&feature=related
Do you blame akon? With moves to make a grown man cry, I really dont blame him. Yeah judge me now but what kind of image would that put in Akon's mind before he went on to carry out this act. Yeah maybe he got caught up when he dragged her all around the stage but you would never imagine a 14 year old would be capable of moves like that.
His concert was super amazing, I must give him that. However, he should be like 태양 and JYP and post restrictions to it.
ReplyDeleteAs an audience during his concert, I was really shocked that he did that as there were KIDS beside me and I know that he had no age restriction to his concert. So why the stunt?
Raging hormones aside, rationally, what he did was wrong. On the flip side, that's GD and he is who he is. He's been in the industry since 8 and made himself known through his music and fashion sense. You can't deny that he's awesome and he's only 22!
빅뱅 대박♥
It's obvious that you like this fella and the group he's in, seeing as how your room is full of that Bigbang group of yours.
ReplyDeleteFace it, we judge people and people in turn, judge us. We can't run away from judgements and perceptions cos that's just who we are as humans. Obviously, this guy is pulling a stunt and saying that he did not know that it's not right is just an outright lie. Honestly, how can you not know that dry humping your dancer with minors in vicinity is wrong? Something's really not quite right with him I say.
I guess this GD person is adopting Shakespeare's theory, where there is nothing good or bad and thinking makes it so. If only it's that ideal.
As a mother, I really object to what he's shown the young ones. Honestly, what was he thinking, or in this case, not thinking?!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do respect him as an artiste but I guess there's only so much respect you can get from a stunt like this.
These are just my perceptions but I guess many will feel the same way too.
Wow isn't this kind of news everywhere? Media made it seem like a big hooha by introducing an in-depth report and follow-ups. I mean, this is just another gimmick. My perception is I do not believe in whatever the media throws in your face. You yourself need to filter through as well. Food for thought =)
ReplyDelete@wiNn
ReplyDeleteI don't think this news was everywhere in Singapore though it was in Korea since GD is really a big star there. And it's not a gimmick cos honestly, why would he get caught if it was and he was on the verge of being sentenced and fined.
babe~ teehee how's you? all good? missing you dear girl. meet up soon kay me you aelin and nira :D
ReplyDeletehaha
anyway i can never thank you enough for introducing GD to me. he's a mad awesome talented musician.
so completely from a biased fan POV, i think that GD was just expressing himself, just like he always does.
however i can't help but agree with nira. he does have an obligation to abide by the rules of his country. it is the place which gave him the opportunity to be who he is today and i think the least who could do was respect their censorship rules
<3