Ann Hyun-mo Apologizes for Controversial Tribute to Jeju Air Tragedy

Broadcast personality Ann Hyun-mo has issued an apology following backlash over her tribute post related to the Jeju Air tragedy. On December 30, she shared a photo of an airport on her social media, stating, "I have been boarding flights for several days now, on Friday, Saturday, and today, and everything about flying and landing has been a matter of luck. Everything is something to be grateful for. The more I think about it, both my inhalation and exhalation can be filled with sorrow." This post was intended to honor the victims of the Jeju Air incident that occurred on December 29 at 9 AM at Muan International Airport, where flight 7C2216 crashed while attempting to land, resulting in the tragic loss of 179 out of 181 passengers. In response to this heartbreaking event, the government declared a national mourning period lasting until January 4. Many celebrities, including Park Na-rae, Im Si-wan, and DinDin, have also expressed their condolences and contributed donations to support the victims' families. However, Ann's post sparked controversy as some netizens found her phrase "everything was a matter of luck" inappropriate for a tribute. Critics argued that such expressions could be perceived as insensitive, especially in a space where the families of the victims might read them. Despite some defending her intent, the majority agreed that her wording was problematic and unnecessary for a memorial message. Following the growing criticism, Ann deleted the post but continued to receive negative comments on her latest update, prompting her to disable the comment section. On January 1, she posted again, stating, "I recognize my shortcomings in conveying my sorrow. I cannot suppress my grief over the Jeju Air tragedy. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have suffered greatly from this incident. May the deceased rest in peace."