What was supposed to be a celebration of K-pop’s global power has turned into a major PR disaster.On May 2, G-Dragon (38, Kwon Ji-yong) performed at the ‘K-SPARK IN MACAU’ outdoor concert in Macau. The problem wasn’t his performance — it was what he was wearing.Under a cropped jacket, G-Dragon wore a t-shirt with the prominent text:
“RONNY, EEN GEILE NEGER__ JONGEN”Here’s why it sparked outrage:
- “EEN GEILE” is Dutch for “a horny person” or “sexually aroused individual” — already potentially vulgar depending on context.
- “NEGER” is the biggest issue. In Dutch it literally means “Black person,” but in modern usage it is widely regarded as a highly offensive racial slur — the equivalent of the N-word in English. It is considered derogatory, racist, and is actively avoided in both public and private settings.
G-Dragon wore the shirt completely visible and unapologetically throughout his set, and photos and videos quickly spread worldwide, triggering intense international criticism.In response to the global uproar, his agency, Galaxy Corporation, released an official apology on May 4.
Galaxy Corporation Official Apology StatementHello, this is Galaxy Corporation.We sincerely apologize for the inappropriate phrase included in the artist’s stage outfit at the K-SPARK event in Macau on May 2, which was not suitable in terms of social and cultural context.Through this incident, we have once again recognized the importance of greater cultural sensitivity and responsible review. We will more thoroughly examine and improve our entire internal review and verification process — including styling — and operate under even stricter standards going forward.We will continue to approach all artist-related activities with greater responsibility and care so that the diverse cultural backgrounds and values of our global fans are respected.We once again sincerely apologize for causing disappointment and concern with this incident.Thank you.