Actor Jung Hae-in has sparked heated online debate following his appearance at the Dolce & Gabbana Men FW 2026 fashion show, where a brief front-row moment was perceived by many as racially insensitive. As a brand ambassador, Jung Hae-in attended the show and was seated in the front row between singer Benson Boone and Turkish actor Kerem Bürsin. A short video clip from the event quickly circulated online, showing the two Western celebrities leaning toward each other and continuing their conversation, while Jung Hae-in appeared isolated in the middle.
The footage led many viewers to describe the situation as uncomfortable and awkward to watch. While some netizens suggested that language barriers or a lack of situational awareness may have contributed to the moment, others, particularly Korean netizens, argued that the behavior crossed a line.
On online communities such as Instiz, reactions grew increasingly critical, with many labeling the incident as blatant racism rather than a simple social misstep.
- “So rude…”
- “Those two are doing that on purpose.”
- “This is racism…it’s so blatantly racist it’s ridiculous.”
- “This is absolutely racism…and can those two please close their legs…”
- “Are you allowed to act like that because he can’t speak English? It’s the same racism…why are you trying to divide it?”
- “Is it ok to act like that because you know them? Why are you making excuses like elementary school kids? Of course, you are going to be criticized for acting like that in a social setting. It’s not a place to mingle, but a place of work.”
The incident has since fueled broader discussions about how Asian celebrities are treated at global fashion events, as well as ongoing concerns over subtle forms of exclusion and discrimination in international entertainment spaces. As of now, none of the individuals involved have publicly addressed the controversy.
Sources: Koreaboo
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