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Addressing Arons Scandal
We would like to preface that this thread does NOT aim to discredit the feelings anyone (especially ND individuals) may have towards this situation, as it is commonly believed the r slur was used. However upon research and speaking to native Koreans there is evidence that there-
are many misunderstandings about the word involved.
In September 2015, NU’EST Aron was called out for comments towards his juniors, Seventeen while filming Seventeen TV. While the incident itself occured in January 2013, it resurfaced again two years later.
In September 2015, NU’EST Aron was called out for comments towards his juniors, Seventeen while filming Seventeen TV. While the incident itself occured in January 2013, it resurfaced again two years later.
In 2015, Koreaboo published an article about the incident. they included a translation in which they translated the korean word ‘병신[들]’ (byungshin[deul])’ Aron used, to mean the r slur. This has since become a very widespread translation in this incident, and as it is widely-
![In 2015, Koreaboo published an article about the incident. they included a translation in which they translated the korean word ‘병신[들]’ (byungshin[deul])’ Aron used, to mean the r slur. This has since become a very widespread translation in this incident, and as it is widely-](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eca_nhMX0AEkQRq.jpg "In 2015, Koreaboo published an article about the incident. they included a translation in which they translated the korean word ‘병신[들]’ (byungshin[deul])’ Aron used, to mean the r slur. This has since become a very widespread translation in this incident, and as it is widely-")
understood that he used the r word as a result of this translation, we do not blame anyone for their offence. It is completely valid to have any of the feelings you have towards this situation.
Koreaboo also falsely states that Aron was 21, when in international age he was 19. They also state that most of Seventeen were 15, when some members were actually 17. This exaggerates their age gap, in an attempt to make the incident seem worse on Aron’s part.
However, ‘병신’ can be translated to many different meanings depending on context, as its usage and definition has changed over time.
While there is no direct translation of the r slur in Korean, the closest is ‘저능’ (jeoneung) which is widely seen as derogatory towards neurodivergent and disabled people, unlike ‘병신’ which is much more commonly used and isn’t largely seen as discriminatory.
The word ‘병신’ itself is a common swear word in Korean. From speaking to various native Koreans about this issue, multiple have stated that the word has come to mean something closer to ‘dumbass’ ‘moron’ ‘jerk’ or ‘dickhead’ in korean, depending on context, and can even be used
in situations between close friends. Since Aron was still learning Korean at the time, it is very likely he learned the common use of the word by immersion.
**The people that we have talked to have asked to remain anonymous or not be included at all so we have respected that!
**The people that we have talked to have asked to remain anonymous or not be included at all so we have respected that!
‘병신’ is also often used in kdramas, movies and song lyrics with varying meanings, such as ‘idiot,’ ‘dick’ and even ‘f*ckboy.’ When used towards a misbehaving child, the meaning can also be construed as similar to the American ‘jerk/punk.’
We will include some examples here:
We will include some examples here:
**it’s around 30 seconds in
There are, however, also direct translations of the word which compare it to the r word, and this word can still be used in a discriminatory way when said towards neurodivergent and disabled people. As mentioned by the native Korean person above it depends on context.
This is because the original Chinese characters for the word are byeong (病), meaning "of disease" and shin (身), meaning "body.” We do not believe ND or disabled people are ‘ill’ but this is the direct translation.
However, the common meaning of the word has changed in Korean culture and native speakers have said that there isn’t really an equivalent word to the r slur in Korean.
In summary....
Misconceptions about Aron’s apology are:
Firstly, that he only apologised because he got caught, which is not true because Aron did directly apologise to Seventeen after the incident.
Firstly, that he only apologised because he got caught, which is not true because Aron did directly apologise to Seventeen after the incident.
Another misconception is the phrase "usual habit". Due to the context Aron used the word in its very likely this phrase actually refers to his habit of casual swearing (like common to many other teenagers), rather than his use of the r word itself, as is commonly misinterpreted.
To End
As Aron was only 19 at the time, it’s obvious that he was immature and wrong and thus apologised for his actions. The purpose of this thread was NOT to claim that Aron did nothing wrong, but to clear up misinformation about him using a slur, and wrongfully called ableist.
As Aron was only 19 at the time, it’s obvious that he was immature and wrong and thus apologised for his actions. The purpose of this thread was NOT to claim that Aron did nothing wrong, but to clear up misinformation about him using a slur, and wrongfully called ableist.
