RESCENE's Minami, Threatened by a Shoulder Bump in Japan, Announces Retirement from Her Gyaru Persona: "It Might Make Others Uncomfortable" [SC Issue]

[Sportschosun Baek Ji-eun] RESCENE member Minami has announced that she is retiring her gyaru character.

Minami recently wrote on a fan communication platform, "So many people watched 'Annyeonghaseyo Won-iimnida, Jal Butakdeurimnida' too. I'm already grateful that it has surpassed 1 million views," adding, "It's about time to say goodbye to gyaru. I wasn't really gyaru to begin with, so now I want to show more of my real self."

She added, "Still, so many people seem to like the gyaru side of me, so I think it was worth doing. I'm also grateful to the producer. I'll work even harder on dancing and singing so people can like my real self too," she said.

She also said, "I honestly don't really know what gyaru is, and there are so many different gyaru styles, so I think some people might feel uncomfortable if they think I'm just copying it. But one thing is certain: the gyaru image I've shown so far was something I studied and prepared hard for, just for the people who enjoy watching gyaru videos. The staff also prepared pretty outfits that suit me. I hope people will see these videos not as content to promote gyaru culture, but as videos that show my various sides and my good chemistry with Won-i."

Minami drew major attention with the gyaru concept character she presented on member Won-i's personal channel, 'Annyeonghaseyo Won-iimnida, Jal Butakdeurimnida.' In particular, a scene in which she visited Won-i's hometown of Geoje and said, "Geoje, yahoo!" drew widespread attention and became a meme. RESCENE later staged a dramatic reversal in popularity and emerged as a breakout girl group.

Recently, the group was also caught up in a so-called shoulder-bump controversy. Minami and Won-i released a video of their trip to Japan dressed in gyaru concept outfits. The two had planned to dance para para at Shibuya's landmark, the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, when a Japanese man in a white shirt was seen trying to brush past Minami by bumping her shoulder. Fortunately, Minami twisted her body and avoided the hit, so she was not hurt. However, fans worried that the man may have been attempting a "butsukari" attack. "Butsukari" refers to deliberately hitting someone with a shoulder or elbow in a street or public place and then running away. It is often said to target children and women. In February, public outrage was sparked after footage showed a woman committing a butsukari attack on a Taiwanese girl crossing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

RESCENE will make a comeback on July 8 with the single "Pretty Girl," a remake of a Kara hit song.

Baek Ji-eun, Sportschosun silk781220@sportschosun.com