YouTuber Johnny Somali apologizes for kissing comfort women statue, viewers question sincerity

Somali visits girl statue and apologizes for not understanding its meaning

By KTimes

Johnny Somali, a 24-year-old American YouTuber who sparked controversy in Korea by kissing a statue of a girl symbolizing Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery, has apologized.

But despite his apology, viewers are skeptical, pointing out that Somali has posted various controversial photos and videos on his social media accounts.

On Thursday, YouTube channel Jcompany posted a video of Somali visiting the Girl Statue at the Changdong History and Culture Park in Seoul's Dobong District and apologizing to the Korean public there.

In the video, Somali said: “I would like to apologize to the Koreans. I didn't understand the meaning of the statue.” He explained that his actions were intended to entertain his American viewers. He stood next to the statue, bowed and added in Korean: “I'm really sorry for being disrespectful.”

Somali also expressed interest in learning more about the history of sex slavery in Japan during the war, or, euphemistically, the “comfort women” who survived these atrocities. He said he was willing to meet the survivors in person, interview them and learn more about their stories.

However, viewers questioned Somali's sincerity and noted that he has not yet deleted various photos and videos of his controversial actions in Korea from his social media accounts.

Controversial photos are still visible on Johnny Somali's Instagram account as of Friday. / Taken from Johnny Somali's Instagram

Somali recently posted an image with a photo of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the caption: “I defeated the Koreans for you, Shinzo Abe.” On Friday, the YouTube post was deleted, but the Instagram photo remains, with the image changed Headline in “RIP Shinzo Abe!”

Other controversial content includes a video of Somali lying and dancing in a subway car, which was not removed. While Somali deleted videos of him disrespecting the girl's statue and causing a disturbance at a supermarket – incidents that led to a police investigation – some content remains.

Seoul Mapo police said Oct. 31 that Somali was being investigated for obstruction of business because of his behavior at the supermarket. In addition to a police investigation into alleged assault and drug use, Somali is currently subject to an “exit ban” that prevents him from leaving the country.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and published by The Korea Times.