Heo Ji Woong defends IU from 'My Sweet Orange Tree' publication company regarding 'Zeze'

[wallpaperdesign]

Heo Ji Woong (author, film critic, and tv personality) has spoken seemingly in defense of IU regarding her interpretation of 'My Sweet Orange Tree' in her song "Zeze" - well, at the very least, he's spoken against those speaking against IU.  She has been accused of sexualizing the five-year-old abused character, Zeze, in her suggestive lyrics.

 

Heo Ji Woong wrote on his Twitter on November 5, "It is wrong of a publication company to propose an extremely strict guideline in the interpretation of literature.  Interpretation of all literature can be rediscovered moment to moment through one's own will and capability. Zeze would not agree with the publication company."

 

 allkpop

[Blue.]

thanks ^^

[echobunny]

no idea why the publication house had to butt in in the first place.

nonetheless, it's time for iu to speak up for herself

[ToujoursSistar]

I'm glad someone is defending her .

I still think she should release a statement and explain herself

[Cloud Of Perception]

She needs to speak on this herself and clear it up 

[bettyjay]

If IU is an artist, then she'll come out an explain her own art, sticking to her guns and not caring what others think.

 

If she's an idol, she'll stay quiet and let it all blow over while other people clean up after her so that she can keep her popularity.

[Bitchfit]

Rightly said

[dayNight]

Couldn't agree more. Their view of on freedom of expression needing police approval just rubs me wrong and sounds so contradictory. I mean freedom of expression and public permission? Oh I don't know but that sounds awful lot like censorship and few other things.

 

Edit,: public not police. Darn auto correct

[fairweathermoviefan]

Is he also defending listeners who see IU's interpretation as unsavory?

[Carlos]

no idea why the publication house had to butt in in the first place.

nonetheless, it's time for iu to speak up for herself

Because its free publicity for the book, now many people curious with the story and try to buy the book just for the sake to find the answer about IU lyric controversy

[m_allegretti]

If IU is an artist, then she'll come out an explain her own art, sticking to her guns and not caring what others think.

 

If she's an idol, she'll stay quiet and let it all blow over while other people clean up after her so that she can keep her popularity.

 

Yeah I'd agree with this since this is how we knew Zico isn't a real artist.

[Carlos]

If IU is an artist, then she'll come out an explain her own art, sticking to her guns and not caring what others think.

 

If she's an idol, she'll stay quiet and let it all blow over while other people clean up after her so that she can keep her popularity.

Well she already did explained long time ago, where have u been??? Is it funny that this controversy just blow up now after one hater post his "own" interpretation on Pann, make up they own story which different than what IU say in interview.

 

How come this not blow up when the song release??? Or when IU interview explaining zeze?? Why it took 2 weeks??? While song twenty three already under fire just a minute after release? Why?? Because fuck logic..!!

[m_allegretti]

Well she already did explained long time ago, where have u been??? Is it funny that this controversy just blow up now after one hater post his "own" interpretation on Pann, make up they own story which different than what IU say in interview.

 

How come this not blow up when the song release??? Or when IU interview explaining zeze?? Why it took 2 weeks??? While song twenty three already under fire just a minute after release? Why?? Because fuck logic..!!

 

yeah it's funny how there's a contingent of people calling it "karma" or how she won't get away with it "this time".

 

pretty much a campaign driven by antis, but at the same time I don't get how Loen/IU couldn't predict this happening?

[adda]

Is he also defending listeners who see IU's interpretation as unsavory?

 

I think he suggests her lyrics are open to interpretation, so the company shouldn't provide a meaning, because that will restrict people's interpretations, making the text less personal and profound. Each listener can  discover a meaning.

[fairweathermoviefan]

I think he says her lyrics are open to interpretation, so the company shouldn't provide a meaning, because that will restrict the interpretation, making the text less personal and profound. Each listener can interpret as he/she wants.

I agree that's why I believe his words aren't helpful to her. It kind of encourages listeners who see the drawing of Zeze as a sexual being as its within their rights to interpret.

 

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

[Carlos]

yeah it's funny how there's a contingent of people calling it "karma" or how she won't get away with it "this time".

 

pretty much a campaign driven by antis, but at the same time I don't get how Loen/IU couldn't predict this happening?

Maybe is just part of IU evil plan LOL??? I'm sure that IU will not give a fuck, it's clear stated in how she produce this album. She not just to break her innocent image, but she fighting/rebellion against the odd. To many of IU lyric is subtle message to mocking netizen. If IU doing what haters want IU to do. Like admit mistake and apologise, it just make her forced back to the old innocent IU, promote like an idol again, weak against oppa2 ahjusi, etc. Being sexual lolita object again.

[m_allegretti]

Maybe is just part of IU evil plan LOL??? I'm sure that IU will not give a fuck, it's clear stated in how she produce this album. She not just to break her innocent image, but she fighting/rebellion against the odd. To many of IU lyric is subtle message to mocking netizen. If IU doing what haters want IU to do. Like admit mistake and apologise, it just make her forced back to the old innocent IU, promote like an idol again, weak against oppa2 ahjusi, etc. Being sexual lolita object again.

 

Heh I totally agree with her on the bullshit netizens, hell even many ifans don't complain about all the sexploitation of minors in the industry.

 

But I feel like IU, and other idols, forget how many losers hate them. I mean these delulus were going to grasp anything they could, and this Zeze thing was an obvious weak point they'd exploit.

 

I just wonder about Korean PR teams. I feel like I could've told them "WHOAH. Let's leave this Zeze song out yo."

[Fireball]

The onlu thing I didn't like about the zeze song on the album, was the image of a pantless young boy with fish net stockings in that pose. The song itself, yes it can be interpreted as sexual, is at least not in your face with it. I find the connotations too subtle to call her out on them. I've read the book, and while I never got any hint of dirty/sexual vibe from it or from Zeze (he was in fact very pure and innocent in my eyes) I thought she was using it get her point across.

 

And as for her whole lolita thing, she's working with the image that the public and her body type has forced on her, she's 23, she wants to date and live the life of a free, idependantly wealthy young woman, except people are forever forcing her to stay a 14yr child in attitude. So I basically saw the album and styling as a big middle finger to everyone. you want me to stay the empty headed little doll of your fantasys? Alright let's play those fantasies out, what do you get when you take my grown up inside and trap it in the childlike image you keep forcing on me? You get uncomfortable, now accept she's grown up and move on netizens.

 

Anyway rant over. Go IU you do you, to make an omlette gotta break some eggs.

[pryzilla]

?? He's not pantless, though. If you look he's pretty clearly wearing shorts and the stockings/socks extend up into the shorts.

[Fireball]

?? He's not pantless, though. If you look he's pretty clearly wearing shorts and the stockings/socks extend up into the shorts.

really? let me go find a zoom on the image and really look at it. I've seen it many times, but never stared at it because it made me uncomfortable.

 

EDIT well I looked but I couldn't find a high res image that really made it clear he's got shorts on. He could be wearing white knee length shorts, and I would prefer to think he is, but I do think that it's done deliberately so that they look like his legs. Everything about the song, from the metaphores to the album art is designed to make people uncomfortable. IU must have some hidden rage going on right now.

[No1]

The onlu thing I didn't like about the zeze song on the album, was the image of a pantless young boy with fish net stockings in that pose. The song itself, yes it can be interpreted as sexual, is at least not in your face with it. I find the connotations too subtle to call her out on them. I've read the book, and while I never got any hint of dirty/sexual vibe from it or from Zeze (he was in fact very pure and innocent in my eyes) I thought she was using it get her point across.

 

And as for her whole lolita thing, she's working with the image that the public and her body type has forced on her, she's 23, she wants to date and live the life of a free, idependantly wealthy young woman, except people are forever forcing her to stay a 14yr child in attitude. So I basically saw the album and styling as a big middle finger to everyone. you want me to stay the empty headed little doll of your fantasys? Alright let's play those fantasies out, what do you get when you take my grown up inside and trap it in the childlike image you keep forcing on me? You get uncomfortable, now accept she's grown up and move on netizens.

 

Anyway rant over. Go IU you do you, to make an omlette gotta break some eggs.

He's not pantless actually, he's wearing shorts if you look closely enough.

 

I'm side eyeing the fuck out of her for calling a young boy sexy and even with her explanation about only refering to his devious side since that is a result of his abuse after all. I understand wanting to be risky and bold with her music, but she went about it the wrong way.

 

That being said, I think she was paraphrasing and actually singing about herself; about how she was viewed for her innocent, girl next door image and the sexualization and infantalization she went through during this time. The album gives a clear message, she wants to break away form that image in the boldest possible way and a big 'fuck you' to her haters.

 

The witch hunt is beyond ridiculous though. Antis are taking full advantage of this situation to fuel the fire against her and real criticism will soon go out the window with so many people badwagoning to hate her on one side and the people trying to defend her without willing to understand why she made a mistake and then admit she was wrong because "unnie didn't mean it".

 

I really hope she owns up to her mistake and apologizes for it but not in a 'I'm sorry you were offended' way, but I guess that's too much to ask.