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Han Ye-seul makes a bad situation worse

The netizen flame war has just taken a turn for the weirder, mostly because Han Ye-seul doesn’t know how to stop when she’s ahead.

The Tazza actress was on the receiving end of a surprisingly large amount of backlash after she apologized online (sufficiently, I thought) for a perceived insult to a fellow actor. The post on her homepage defending herself generated hundreds of negative comments. Still, at this point the controversy was on its way out — or should have been.

Not patient enough to let the matter die on its own, Han then replied — angry and frustrated, it seemed — to those posts on the 8th, taking offense at netizens’ comments.

Han responded: “I’ve seen plenty of your comments. But I can’t understand these kinds of attacks. I can no longer put up with comments saying I don’t have any passion for acting and only care about popularity. What’s the problem with me writing something on my homepage to my fans? I’d really like to see who you are. Want to see me in person?”

(By the way — and other Korean speakers, let me know if you agree or disagree — I’ve always felt Han’s Korean to be a bit…off. Assertive, maybe too casual. She’s not rude, but sometimes I wince when she says something that comes off a bit brash.)

So then, amidst the supporters and the haters, a bunch of netizen fans wondered if they should purposely slander the actress to win a chance to meet her in person. The homepage drew over 10,000 visits that day, until finally Han closed her site temporarily on the 9th.

You know, I get Han’s frustration, and sometimes you’re tempted to shoot back irritated comments when people post particularly aggravating ones on your site (I may have a little experience with this). But Han is a star, and this is a prime example of why stars should be careful when wielding the internet pen, particularly in a moment of pique. Homepages and fan interaction can do a lot for one’s career, but you’re only ever one impassioned diatribe away from joining the internet crazies (see: Mariah Carey, Rosie O’Donnell, Courtney Love). She’d have been better off keeping her mouth shut.

Via IS Plus

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Quite honestly, I think it is fantastic that Han Ye-seul chastised the netizens. I think that not only are these netizens severely deficient when it comes to social skills and civil behavior, they have also been coddled for too long because of fear of a backlash. The level of enmity (and fanatic obsessions, on the flip side) these idiots show is disturbing--not only because of the deranged behavior they reflect.

I think the price of fame is one that forces artists to endure behavior that even 15 years ago would have had people shaking their head in disgust.

This is a terrible reflection on real life--and this kind of behavior is not just limited to online anymore. I see more and more people who are just so uncivil that I wonder if a cave of hyenas raised them.

Han Ye-seul apologized. She made a bad move by leaving early, but OMG, that is so NOT an egregious act. Jeez, so she stepped on some toes. She apologized. And all the losers who sit around on their computers (instead of spending face to face time with loved ones, if they have loved ones) need to be gracious and mature in return.

Internet infantilizes people, it seems, and fan-netizens are the worst of them all. I think ALL stars should categorically let fans know when they have overstepped their boundaries, and maybe with time some of the losers will learn something that their parents should have taught them a long time ago.

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Seriously just bad timing + blown up issue + fags jealous of Han Ye-seul's achievements

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Korean netizens always appall me with their behavior. Had something like this happened in America, I doubt that a scandal would arise from it. But then again, Koreans are very big on propriety and manners.

Han Yeseul could've treated the situation better, though. I'm surprised that she couldn't be mature about it and brush off the comments. I mean, they're all basically the same thing: You left early, you're ungrateful, you only care about the award, blahblah.

On the whole, I think both sides need to grow up. HYS needs to learn that she can't say whatever she wants on the internet, and the netizens have to STOP.

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Han's Korean is indeed "off." It may be due to the fact that she spent most of her life in the U.S., but honestly, if she envisions her career to reach its peak in Korea, she has to take care of her borderline rude phrasing/syntax.
I believe that this mode of speaking did not carry over well at all when she wrote in response to the netizens, regardless of whether she meant to be chastising them or just expressing how extremely pissed off she was after reading their comments.

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jippo, thanks! That is what I've felt and I wasn't sure if it was only me... I wondered if it was her American-ness, but I don't think I can attribute it only to that. Sometimes she really does talk too casually/rudely, and her defensive post was a bit aggressive too. I think she meant to make a logical point, but her word choices -- the cut-off verb conjugations, use of banmal -- came off as confrontational.

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I think the whole thing on her part is pretty ballsy and made even funnier by the fact it's her bad Korean that's translating her this way.

Han Ye Seul to crazy netizens: "You wanna die?"

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ouch...

The last comment, "I’d really like to see who you are. Want to see me in person?” should NOT have been written...that's just asking for war with those crazy netizens.

Frankly, to have a page and go blogging is one thing. But I just feel like so many Koreans go onto others' sites and slander people. They do that here in the U.S. as well. But I feel like Korea takes it to another level. Personally, if I were a celebrity, I would never create a homepage. Or make an anonymous blog. Or disable commenting slots. You write at your own risk.

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eh. this makes me like her more.
also, i don't see her names anywhere on the naver search rankings, which is kinda weird...

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I was going to ask if Korean wasn't her first language, but I guess #4 Jippo answered that. And yeah, she should have just ignored the comments. She need to understand her position better I feel. She's a public figure, a profession she chose, there's bound to be people who don't like you, you can't please everyone, but you're not going to go and argue with them. Regarding these "netizens", yeah they're weird, but remember these are the people that watch her shows and movies. If people decided not to watch, she'd be out of a job.

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LOL, she might be rude, but Go Han Ye Seul! I love that she's not staying put at all.

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surprisingly, I like her attitude :)

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i like her also..i think she's hillarious...kinda different from the others.....

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She really should've approached the other actress and personally apologized...posting it over the net seems so insensitive...

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I briefly watched her on 무릎 팍 도사 and she said she realizes her Korean comes off as flippant. It's mostly because of her American-ness and the fact that she doesn't fully grasp the Korean language. This appearance was after her other awards show mishap where she performed a song and dance number. The netizens thought her way of speaking was all cute after her appearance on 무릎 팍 도사 and the awards show happening quickly dispelled.

Uh oh, she might be thinking to herself if she goes on another talk show to explain her side, she'll win over the netizens again.

Where is her manager in all this hoopla?? Or her people who take of damage control?

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hey javabeans,

although i always appreciate good writing and analysis (and believe me, you've given me plenty! thanks!) in any form, i have to say i'm getting a little tired of your news updates on silly things like this. please revert back to your true art as soon as possible! i miss your detailed and thoughtful drama recaps terribly :( you have no idea how many times a day i check your site, just waiting for a new drama recap ...

with that said, thanks again for being one of the most open-minded and thoughtful writers in the blogosphere. i really appreciate how much thought and care you put into each of your posts and you never come off as arrogant or ambivalent no matter the subject. you're truly one of the most responsible bloggers out there and i can only wish that our internet is filled with more writers like you instead of mostly ignorant jackasses that rant and rave as they please. please keep posting for a long, long time :)

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I may understand Han's feeling because sometimes all the comments can be very rude and she doesn't want them to think that way, but I think sometimes, all the people put down comments most likely are critics or just plainly disagree with her defense. That is why they put down comments because they don't think the same way as Han's thinks she is. All positive feedback are not in presence because people who understand will just be ok and not necessarily letting her know that they agree to it.

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I like how she responded to the netizens' continuing unreasonable attacks, but I don't think the way she did it was smart. Obviously netizens are going to fire back in stronger waves.

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i hope this doesnt foreshadow anything.

We've already had enough tragedies for the year.

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I also feel that Han's Korean has been as you called it dramabeans, very brash, as well. Part of it may be because she grew in the States however, I feel that a good part of it is probably due to her assertive personality.

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lol, i kinda like how she told those netizens off.. it's about time!!
i'm not fond of her acting but way to go han ye-sul

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the netizens oftentimes are very unreasonable and would immediately react without consideration of the other side of the issue. even judges in courts of law would not render judgment without hearing the other side and weighing the matters carefully

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I'm not a big fan of HYS but I agree with those who applauded her counter-attack on those nasty netizens. Either this, or she bottles it up and eventually takes her own life. Which one would you prefer?

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All this sounds to me like most of these korean netizen need a serious life.

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She's really straightforward when it comes to what she has to say (which may not always be a good thing when you're an actress. it's better to watch your mouth or you'll end up like SNSD's Tiffany). I like the fact that she's standing up against netizens, though. Afterall, these are the people who find every little thing to criticize and their criticism has even led to numerous suicides. Still, she needs to hold her tongue before matters get out of hand. I'd hate to see her career fail because of a matter like this.

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HAHAHAHAHA! sorry for laughing, but the fact she wanted to meet them just made me burst out laughing..hahahaa....omo...she should just stay put and let it die

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I dido what yay said. These netizens should be punish by law! I can't believe these kinds of creeps exist to destroy others. We punish sexual perpetrators, people who steal, kills, etc. These netizens or what the "F" they call themselves need to be locked up in a mental institute. I don't know how many these mentally ill idiots have hurt celebrities who are there to entertain us. I'm not a fan of Han Ye-seul and so what if she made a bad move. Don't keep beating a dead horse. GET COUNSELING NETIZENS!

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go Han hye seul. !!! I think she's right, I would do that too if those crazy fans and haters kept harassing me in my cyworld when I already i apologize. Someone has to stop those people.even though she's a celebrity, she's human too right,? She have a right to defend herself... Go Han hye seul!!!

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I think it is a bit hypocritical to be condemning "netizens". Aren't we all part of this "netizen" culture all the same? Most of us are not the ones that leave comments on her Korean blog because we are not able to speak/type her language...but we share our opinions on other English blogs nevertheless. I hope Han Ye Seul would approach this in a more professional way. Leaving a comment like this is only inviting these netizens. I've never seen anybody win an argument by asking to see them in person as if she wants to fight them personally.

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i understand she was tired at that time but still, i regret that she left earlier she likes not professional , i think this is a good lesson for another celebrities How to behave. Ye seul Fighting!! that's why i understand some Big Celebrities has no cyworld they prefer a sites that their agency give.

she must be most hated celebrity now,,!!

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I understand people's antipathy toward Korean "netizens"- they can be immature, mean-spirited, and downright cutting. While I agree with severely punishing those that threaten the lives of celebrities (such as the case with CJS), netizens are merely practicing their right of freedom of speech. Up until 20 years ago, the Korean government went as far as using physical violence against their people and they still have archaic laws like the one with adultery. I find it refreshing to see that Korea's come a long way and its citizens are allowed to express their own opinions. Don't get me wrong, though. Some of the attacks netizens make are ridiculous...

For this situation, I think HYS should have taken the higher road. She's a celebrity and there are perks and downfalls that come with fame. I'm sure she's aware of the netizen presence in Korea and she's also aware of the backlash that comes from provoking them. It sucks people are attacking her for her actions, which I'm sure she's regretting. She just aggrandized the situation and there's no one to blame but herself.

Someone mentioned that she said the public misunderstands her because she isn't fully comfortable with Korean. When I was watching one her drama with Jung Da Bin, she spoke English, and it didn't sound too great. She had a heavy accent.... Where was her management during all of this?!

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I was wondering about other internet crazies that Javabeans mentioned above. Did Han Ye Seul sound like a Courtney Love in her internet message? I read Courtney Love's internet posts before and they were *very* incoherent and very casually written. I hope Han Ye Seul's korean isn't so bad that she sounded like a rude and delusional Courtney Love.

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The last two lines just make me wanna *facepalm*.

I bet a bunch of her fellow colleagues are doing the same thing.
If I were her right now, I'd feel so embarassed...

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I love how just because someone is a star they have to be careful of what they do and say, but when they make a mistake, everyone will be like "THEY'RE HUMAN TOO!" So we're the same right? But I can say one thing, yet she can't? Oh, how the table have turned.

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I think she just lost it and had a meltdown. Good for her. There are so many stars who try to so hard to be so proper so it's kind of refreshing. I wonder when she'll call for a press conference. It' just like On Air.

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PR disaster!

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wow
i don't think korean celebrities should have homepages like that, or just have their publicity people address situations like these. american celebrities don't answer posts personally right?
and i kind of think she was rude but id rather have her say that than bear the criticism silently and later commit suicide or whatever

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well there goes her career

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CC i am agree with You. korea really foward manner from anything, even when just drink , maybe staying in USA ( she's korean-american Right ) made her bit "lost "the manner. WHAT happened with her Agency ???

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good for her, netizens can be so mean, i'm glad she is standing up for herself.

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Anyone who is not a fan of a certain celebrity (any celebrity, or person, for that matter) has no business even visiting, much less posting negative comments on a fansite. PERIOD! Fansites are for fans. They should never be the realm of jealous, anti-social, glass-empty, mudslingers. If you must hate, do it in your own blog.

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Hell no I don't think she's going to give in. Once you're Americanized, it affects your Asianness to a certain extent. I am Asian American, and no matter how hard I try to look Asian, I'm in between two worlds. For Han Ye Seul, she's probably a feisty assertive Korean American gal =) Yay for her! She could have handled it better but she reminds me of my suitemate haha

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Of all Korean actresses, I like HYS the most!!! Reason being: I like that she has personality, unlike most who act/look cute and sweet all the time. Well, like one said its not good for a public figure. She should have been more careful. Hopefully her PR team can resolve this soon :)

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I think she's great for standing up for herself.
I could care less about her walking out...

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I don't think this has anything to do with "Korean-ness vs American-ness."

It has to do with professionalism.

Getting ripped on by angry fans is part of a celebrity's job description.

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HAHAAH Andrea i love youre "you wanna die" thing
well Han ye-seul did appologize & the walking out of the award ceremony was just bad timing
those netizens shoud get slapped across their face to come to their sense(each & every one)
there are limits to these critizisms & those netizens have no right to say these things

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Americanized Korean or not, that was a horrible PR move. I know more Hollywood startlets publicly talked bad about people they don't like like the paparazzi, crazy internet bloggers, other stars, etc, doesn't mean that they don't get looked down for it too by other Americans for their lack of professionalism. The comments in here makes it seem like American don't know anything about professionalism and that Korea is filled with polite and professional people who gets hurt over small trivial matter. Those comments make everybody look bad, American and Korean.

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She's right. These people would NEVER have the courage to say some of the horrible things they've written to her face. PR nightmare maybe, but I'm sure the people leaving rude comments weren't her fans to begin with. Too bad HYS can't see all these comments supporting her:)

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I don't see anything wrong with what she wrote. It's not even harsh.

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shika (#49), I realize the English is fairly tame, but it does read a little rude in Korean. It has kind of a "What the hell is your problem, you people?" tone, although those words aren't used.

Naturally she has a right to say whatever she wants on her cyworld, but for an actress it's a little unprofessional. Methinks she should've taken the high road, too, like someone upthread mentioned.

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This reminds me of when Anne Rice lost it on Amazon after getting poor ratings for one of her books.

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