Kpop Girl Group Member Criticized for Father’s Support of Thailand’s Military Dictatorship

Controversy Surrounding H1-KEY’s Debut: A Mixed Reception

The K-pop group H1-KEY, a four-member ensemble under Grandline Group (GLG), made their debut on January 5, 2022, with the song “Athletic Girl.”Their initial entry into the music scene quickly garnered attention; however, it was soon overshadowed by controversy related to one of the members.

Korean netizens protest rookie girlgroup member whose father supported Thailand’s military dictatorship — Public Outcry Following H1-KEY’s Debut

The backlash centered on Sitala, whose father, the late Thai actor and filmmaker Sarunyu Wongkrachang, was known for his support of Thailand’s military regime. News of her background led to negative reactions across social media channels—including Twitter—particularly from the Thai public.

Reports from major outlets such as The Korea Times and The Bangkok Post indicate that Wongkrachang was linked to the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, a group that played a crucial role in the tumultuous political climate during the 2014 Thai coup. Adding fuel to the fire, Sitala described her father as her role model in her profile, raising suspicions about her and her family’s political ideologies among concerned fans.

Since the 2014 military coup, Thailand has been entrenched in a dictatorship, witnessing periodic anti-government protests demanding democratization. The military’s response has often included brutal crackdowns on protesters, further polarizing sentiments around the regime.

A Thai critic remarked, “The government has taken away the hopes and dreams of young people. Many have been imprisoned while Sitala received fame.”Another added, “Sitala’s family supported the dictators.” Reaction to her debut included over 1,000 negative comments directed at H1-KEY across social media platforms.

Thai citizens expressing their motives against military regime — Protests from Thai Citizens Against Military Support

Amidst the backlash, Sitala still managed to garner a level of support from some Korean fans. Comments on platforms like Instiz indicated a mix of empathy and curiosity, with many stating, “This isn’t related to our country, but…” and, “The company must have been unaware of this, right?” Others expressed interest in the remaining members of H1-KEY for their charm and appeal.

Korean netizens engage with Sitala controversy — Korean Netizens React to the Controversy

Unfortunately, the turbulence surrounding her debut proved to be too significant. Just five months following their initial launch, Sitala announced her withdrawal from H1-KEY. On May 25, 2022, GLG released a statement citing “personal reasons” for her departure, leaving fans to speculate about the implications of the public scrutiny.

As H1-KEY navigates its future without Sitala, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the intertwining of personal backgrounds and public personas in the world of K-pop.

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