Gyeongju Mayor Apologizes for Comments on g.o.d

Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young has issued an apology after referring to the popular K-pop group g.o.d as a 'has-been' during a recording of the KBS 2TV show, Immortal Songs (불후의 명곡), on June 9. In his social media statement, he expressed regret for any discomfort his comments may have caused, clarifying that he did not intend to belittle the group. He stated, 'I mentioned g.o.d with fondness and affection, recognizing that they are still active and beloved by many.'
However, he acknowledged that his choice of words was inadequate and could have hurt g.o.d's fans. He emphasized that g.o.d is a representative artist of South Korean pop culture, having received love from the public for many years. Joo shared that his family enjoys their music, and even his daughter, who is approaching middle age, still considers them her favorite group. He concluded by reaffirming his respect for culture and the arts, promising to communicate more thoughtfully with the citizens in the future.
The recording of Immortal Songs featured various artists, including g.o.d, Hwasa, Lee Seung-yoon, ATEEZ, Jung Dong-won, Jo Jae-joon, Kiki, and Psy, and was part of the 2025 Gyeongju APEC special. Joo's comments during the pre-recording sparked criticism, leading to his public apology.