Singapore nightclub cancels South Korean DJ 'monk' performance
The performer, DJ NewJeansNim, had insisted on incorporating Buddhist elements into the show.
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Wearing a traditional Buddhist robe, South Korean comedian Youn Sung-ho, known as DJ NewJeansNim, get people pumped up for an electronic dance music (EDM) party with the teachings of Buddha in Seoul, South Korea on May 12, 2024. (File photo: REUTERS/Kim Soo-Hyeon)
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SINGAPORE: A local nightclub which had planned to host the performance of a controversial South Korean DJ has cancelled the act.
Club Rich told CNA that the entertainer, known as DJ NewJeansNim, had insisted on playing two songs involving Buddhist scriptures.
The entertainer, who is not affiliated with the popular K-pop group NewJeans, is known for performing in a monk's robe and incorporating Buddhist mantras into his set.
He was scheduled to perform at the club, located along Middle Road, on Jun 19 and Jun 20. Refunds will be provided, said the club.
POLICE WAS AWARE OF PLANNED PERFORMANCE
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said last week that it was aware of the planned performance, and had engaged the licensee and stakeholder of the club.
The club owner said then that it would make sure religious elements - the monk's robe, use of a monk's instrument and music related to Buddhist mantras - would not be part of the show.
According to Public Entertainment Licence conditions, the licensee must ensure that the public entertainment provided at their premise is not likely to be offensive to any race, religion, ethnicity or nationality or potentially cause disharmony amongst different groups.Â
"Given the nature of the planned performance, the act may be in violation of this condition,” the police said earlier.Â
The police added that the club had acknowledged its advisory and said that it would ensure that the performance adheres to the licensing conditions.Â
This included ensuring that the performance would not involve any elements associated with religion, be it in the attire, hand gestures, artefacts, songs, or lyrics, said SPF.Â
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong last week also voiced out against the planned performance.
Mr Shanmugam had warned that using religious verses in the performance would have been offensive to Singapore's Buddhist community.
The president of the Singapore Buddhist Federation told Channel 8 on Friday that the nightclub owner had contacted him earlier, and they had a friendly conversation on the phone.
Venerable Seck Kwang Phing thanked the club for hearing him out. He also thanked the two ministers for speaking out on the matter and ensuring religious harmony.
