Youth Platform Question Turns Direct…Han Dong-hoon Reacts with a Startled Smile

Hong Joon-pyo, a preliminary candidate in the People Power Party presidential primary, directly targeted Han Dong-hoon over the 'appearance controversy.'

Candidate Hong posed several questions, claiming they were asked on the youth communication platform he operates, 'Dream of Youth.' The questions were quite pointed and could be perceived as 'offensive' in some respects.

In response to these blunt questions, Candidate Han appeared somewhat flustered but smiled and replied, "I don't think the person asking the question is a youth."

During the debate of Group B in the People Power Party primary on the 20th, Candidate Hong asked Han, "You're tall, so why do you wear height-increasing shoes?"

After Han's response, Hong seemed dissatisfied and halted his speech, only to continue, "There was also a question about whether your hair is natural or if you're wearing corrective undergarments, but that's too childish, so I won't ask it." This was interpreted as a veiled comment about whether Han wears a wig. In response, another preliminary candidate simply remarked, "That's childish," and moved past the question.

What did "seeing it from the side" actually mean?

After the debate, Candidate Hong explained to reporters the background of the question, saying, "I asked it because I was told to ask on the Dream of Youth site," and added, "It seemed to be true from the side."

When asked for clarification on what exactly was 'true,' Hong chuckled and said, "I’m just joking to make it fun. If that's not fun today, then what's entertaining?"

However, those observing the debate from Han Dong-hoon's camp did not hide their displeasure. Spokesperson Park Sang-soo countered on social media, stating, "As already testified by spokesperson Kim Hye-ran on a YouTube broadcast, Candidate Han's height is over 180cm," and added, "When he stood without shoes, he was still 4-5cm taller than me, in the late 170s."

Camp's Response: "It's a Relief It Wasn't on TV… Is This a Family Entertainment Discussion?"

Spokesperson Park emphasized, "Fortunately, this childish attack only aired on YouTube and not on TV," and criticized, "If it had gone out on public broadcasting as is, how would the public perceive our party? With candidates even engaging in SNL-style banter, what kind of family entertainment debate is this?"

After the debate, Han Dong-hoon immediately moved to Daegu and did not hold a separate back briefing on-site.

Image source: News1