Gwangju Restaurant Faces Backlash Over Controversial Menu Item
A restaurant in Gwangju, South Korea, drew widespread criticism after introducing a dish named “피 떡갈비”, a term linked to the 5·18 Democratic Uprising, according to a report by JoongAng Ilbo. The menu item, described as “three pieces of grilled galbi with ketchup,” sparked outrage online for its perceived insensitivity to the historical trauma of the 5·18 Democratic Uprising.
Owner Claims No Intent to Offend, but Public Reaction is Harsh
The restaurant’s owner, who opened the establishment in the city’s Dongmyeong-dong district, stated they chose the name “피 떡갈비” to differentiate the dish from similar offerings. “I believed it was a harmless phrase,” the owner said in a statement. However, netizens quickly condemned the decision, noting that the expression has been used as a hate term to belittle the victims of the 5·18 movement.
The controversy escalated after the owner acknowledged having searched for the term’s meaning. “I became aware of its sensitive connotations and sincerely apologize for the distress caused,” the owner added. Despite the apology, critics argued that the term’s association with historical trauma made its use in a commercial context unacceptable.
Park Kang-Bae Emphasizes Historical Empathy for 5·18 Victims
The term “피 떡갈비” has been used as a hate expression to belittle the victims of the 5·18 Democratic Uprising. Park Kang-bae, the standing director of the 5·18 Memorial Foundation, emphasized the need for historical empathy. “Ignorance is not an excuse for insensitivity,” Park said. “The focus should be on understanding what was overlooked and preventing such incidents in the future.”
Public Divides Over the Incident
While many condemned the restaurant’s decision, some netizens defended the owner, arguing that the term’s use was not inherently malicious. “It’s possible the owner was unaware of the context,” one commenter wrote. Others criticized the broader backlash, suggesting that the incident highlighted tensions over the exposure of personal information.
The owner also expressed concern over the exposure of employees’ personal information online, stating, “I will personally apologize to those affected and address the issue directly.”