YouTuber Johnny Somali has recently found himself at the center of a major controversy in South Korea after a video showed him kissing and posing with the Statue of Peace in Seoul, South Korea. His behavior has led to public outrage, criticism from local officials, and heightened scrutiny online. Amid the growing scrutiny, Somali has issued a public statement.
Here are all the current details about the Johnny Somali statue kissing controversy.
YouTuber Johnny Somali ‘statue kissing’ controversy explained
American YouTuber Johnny Somali has stirred intense controversy after a video surfaced of him kissing and posing with the Statue of Peace in Seoul, South Korea. This statue serves as a tribute to Korean women forced into sexual slavery during Japan’s occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Somali also performed a disrespectful dance in the video, furthering public outrage over the incident.
After his YouTube channel was deleted on October 28 due to backlash, Somali posted an apology video on November 6 through another platform. In this video, he appeared next to the Statue of Peace again, escorted by locals who encouraged him to formally apologize. He claimed he didn’t understand the statue’s historical significance, explaining that his intent was to entertain his American audience, and attributing his actions to differences in comedic cultures between the U.S. and South Korea. Somali said, “I’m a young person, and I want to grow. I made a mistake… I apologize and will no longer talk about or touch the statue.”
Despite his apology, many South Korean viewers remain skeptical of Somali’s sincerity, pointing to his previous controversial antics in Japan and Israel, as well as a history of disregarding local customs. His past behavior along with his current legal issues in South Korea, has further fueled public doubt. He remains in South Korea, where he is also under investigation for alleged drug use.
