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A Korean “DJ-monk” sparks controversy in Malaysia and Singapore

1 min read
May 22, 2024

In Singapore and Malaysia, a South Korean DJ sparked controversy with his appearance. His shaved head and monk robe offended religious representatives, who demanded the cancellation of the artist’s performances, despite his popularity in South Korea.

DJ NewJeansNim
Dressed as a Buddhist monk, DJ NewJeansNim is criticized in Singapore and Malaysia whilst considered as a way to promote a younger image of Buddhism in South Korea | © NewJeansNim, Instagram

In Singapore, a South Korean music industry figure is creating controversy. This man is Yoon Sung-ho, or DJ NewJeansNim.

Yoon Sung-ho’s alter ego, dressed as a Buddhist monk at his shows, is creating controversy among Buddhist representatives in Asian countries. On May 19, The Singapore Buddhist Federation (SBF) called on the Singaporean authorities to ban the artist’s performances at Club Rich on June 19 and 20.

NewJeansNim is not a monk and should not put on a monk’s robe to perform as it is against Vinaya Monks’ Rule. Hopefully, relevant authorities will be able to reject the permits for performance to avoid bringing embarrassment to Buddhists,” said SBF on Facebook, mentioning the Vinaya, the rules of conduct for Buddhist monks.

Update May 24: The Singapore nightclub hosting him said he would avoid a ban in Singapore by performing in the city-state without his robe or any religious references.

A show already canceled in Malaysia

The South Korean DJ, who remixes religious mantras with electronic music, had already been deprogrammed in Malaysia. After a first show in Kuala Lumpur at the beginning of the month, the local Buddhist community requested the cancellation of the next set, scheduled for May 21.

The Young Buddhists Association of Malaysia claimed that his performance, which also included singing and dance steps, disrespected Buddhism and offended the faith of Buddhists.

The country is experiencing severe restrictions on its musical programming, for example, the authorities canceled the concert by American artist Ke$ha because it could have offended religious and cultural sensitivities in the country, whose state religion is Islam. The singer declared on X that she had been threatened with imprisonment, despite the fact that she had cooperated by agreeing to censor her lyrics and certain outfits.

A South Korean success

However, in South Korea, DJ NewJeansNim, who has not been ordained as a monk, is very popular with the public and Buddhist representatives.

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism hired him to spread Buddhism by promoting a younger image of the religion. Indeed, the number of South Korean Buddhist practitioners is shrinking in the country, dropping from 22% of South Koreans in 2017 to 17% in 2021.

I am thankful for the work you have done in spreading a much younger Buddhism to the young generation,” congratulated the president of the Jogye Order, the country’s largest Buddhist group.

His success is so impressive that the 48-year-old artist has been programmed for the second year running at Seoul’s Yeondeunghoe, the lotus lantern festival celebrating Buddha’s birthday.

Aude Bres

Aude is a writer for Newsendip. She graduated from the Sorbonne University.