Singer BoA has spoken out about the toll that malicious comments have taken on her.
In an interview on Channel A’s “News A” on March 30, BoA, who has been in the entertainment industry for 24 years since her debut at the age of 13, shared her thoughts on the current state of K-pop.
“I wish people would realize that celebrities are human beings too,” BoA said. “I often feel like people think of celebrities as targets for their anger. Malicious comments are always wrong.”
She continued, “There are a lot of expectations that idols and artists should act in certain ways, and that can be stifling. I wish people listened more openly. Idols are people too. I would like to be respected as a human being.”
On March 29, BoA also took to her Instagram to express her frustration with malicious comments.
“If I don’t manage my weight, people get mad, and if I do, they get mad again,” she wrote. “They say I’m too skinny and then they say I look like a pig. I don’t know what you look like, but don’t waste your time like that. I’m BoA.”
Many fans supported BoA’s words with comments.
“It’s so sad to see BoA being affected by malicious comments,” one fan wrote. “She’s such a talented and hardworking artist, and she deserves to be respected.”
“I hope BoA’s words will make people think twice before leaving malicious comments,” another fan wrote. “No one deserves to be treated that way.”