Outrage over Asia top model "rant"

Image copyright

Facebook: AsNTM

Image caption

Popular contestant, Sang-in from South Korea, was in tears during last night’s episode

The treatment of a South Korean contestant in the latest episode of TV show Asia’s Next Top Model has sparked a backlash on social media.

Kim Sang-in, 23, made a tearful apology to Subaru executive and guest judge Glenn Tan, after he lambasted her for rolling her eyes during a photo shoot.

The shoot involved models posing around a convoy of Subaru cars, one of the show’s main sponsors.

After Mr Tan’s outburst viewers expressed their anger online.

Hundreds of angry fans flooded the show’s official Facebook page with strongly-worded comments to defend the South Korean model after the show aired on Wednesday night.

The BBC has approached both Subaru and Asia’s Next Top Model for comment.

Image copyright

Facebook: AsNTM

Image caption

Subaru Executive Director Glenn Tan (pictured extreme left) expressed his anger at Ms Kim and shouted at her on set

A snippet of the incident, uploaded onto the show’s Facebook page, has drawn more than 1,000 angry reactions from fans.

It showed Ms Kim looking away as Mr Tan arrives at the scene of the photo shoot challenge among the convoy of cars. He later confronted her about that moment.

“Who do you think you are to roll your eyes at me? I would never ever hire you,” he said.

The contestant broke down in tears after his words, and offered an explanation and apology followed by a traditional Korean bow. She was not allowed to have her final photograph submitted for judging by the panel.

“This is the show’s worst cycle ever – I’ve had enough,” said Cherry Mae Galiza, a viewer from the Philippines.

“Just because he is a sponsor does not mean he can yell at a girl like that,” said Lucas Tai in Malaysia.

Image copyright

Facebook: AsNTM

Image caption

Fans of the show have come out in full support of Ms Kim, and praised her maturity in handling the situation

Another fan from Singapore called for official action from the show.

“All the judges should be ashamed of themselves, for allowing a man like Glenn think that he can treat young models in that way and get away with it,” he said. “I say strip Subaru of their sponsorship and ban Glenn from ever returning to the show.”

The series is no stranger to controversy. A Muslim contestant from Malaysia recently hit back at her critics who said it was “inappropriate” for her to compete in a modelling TV show.

While Ms Kim has not officially addressed the incident, she has uploaded her photo from the shoot, saying she still liked her picture.

All copyrights for this article are reserved to BBC News

Outrage over Asia top model "rant"
http://latiendadejm.com/blog/outrage-over-asia-top-model-rant/

BBC News, noticias | #BBCNews #Noticias | La tienda de JM