SNSD Yoona Seen Discriminated at Cannes

연합뉴스 / 2024-05-28 15:06:00

SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- Singer-actress Yoona of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation has graced the red carpet in an elegant pink dress on the 19th (local time), during the 77th Cannes Film Festival. However, an alleged racial discrimination has befallen the Korean star as she ascended the iconic stairs of the Lumière Grand Theater.

As Yoona turned around to pose for the cameras, a security guard extended her arm to block her. Although momentarily taken aback, Yoona quickly smiled and continued into the venue.

This same guard was recently involved in a confrontation with African-American singer Kelly Rowland, who accused the guard of excessive obstruction. Rowland had remarked, "There were other women who attended that carpet, who did not look like me, and they didn’t get scolded or pushed or told to get off," pointing to the racial discrimination she faced.

Similarly, the guard was also seen obstructing Dominican actress Massiel Taveras, who expressed her displeasure by pushing the guard's shoulder.

International media have highlighted Cannes' racially discriminatory practices. One daily reported that Cannes faced severe criticism for its discriminatory treatment of K-pop star Yoona. Another outlet noted that the guard who blocked Yoona was the same one involved in incidents with Kelly Rowland and Massiel Taveras.

Netizens reacted strongly, pointing out that all the blocked individuals were people of color, while no white European women faced such treatment. Comments included, "The red carpet is for photos, not for guards to block," and "Yoona handled it gracefully."

(Video sources: Bilibili·X @4lynnie_NY·@AlSultan_Meriam, Daily Mail, Hindustan Times, New York Post)