Eom Ji-young, the vocalist of the band Keungrim, has officially apologized following controversy over her “excessive” singing style during the national anthem before a professional baseball game. On the 17th, Eom took to Keungrim’s official account to bow her head in apology, stating, “I am sorry for causing discomfort with the national anthem,” and admitting, “My thoughts and skills were lacking while preparing the anthem.”
The incident happened on the 16th at Changwon NC Park during a game between the NC Dinos and the Kiwoom Heroes. Instead of a traditional rendition, Eom incorporated flashy techniques and numerous unique ad-libs, essentially rearranging the song. This immediately sparked a heated debate online. Even at the stadium, a bit of a scene unfolded when the crowd began clapping to signal her to wrap it up as she continued her vocal flourishes past the expected ending.
As the video spread, many netizens expressed cold reactions, commenting that it was “not respectful to the nation” and an “excessive variation that didn’t fit the stadium atmosphere.” Some even pointed out that she might have been trying to imitate singer Sohyang, who became a hot topic for her powerful high notes during the 2012 pro baseball All-Star game.
Eom Ji-young acted quickly to resolve the situation by posting an apology. “This was a truly big and exciting stage for me, but I sincerely apologize for bringing shame to the NC club and its officials,” she wrote. She added, “I gratefully accept both the critical comments and the messages of comfort, and I will work harder with a humble attitude to return with a better performance.” Netizens responded positively to her swift and sincere response, with some saying, “It’s good to see the quick admission and apology” and “I hope she uses this experience to grow further.”
Although she had a tough time with the singing style controversy, Eom Ji-young ended up with the title of “victory fairy” as NC secured a dominant 9-2 win. Despite the unfortunate controversy, all eyes are now on how she will show her musical maturity in her future activities with her band.
