Controversy Over Alberto Mondi’s Comments on Japanese Colonial Period: 'We Should Hear Both Sides'—Issues Apology

[Financial News] Italian broadcaster Alberto Mondi has issued an apology for his remarks regarding the Japanese colonial period, in which he said, 'We should hear both sides.' As the controversy grew, actor Song Jin-woo and the production team of the YouTube channel also released apologies and set the video to private.
On the 26th, Alberto Mondi posted on his Instagram, stating, 'I sincerely apologize for causing concern to many people with my remarks in the recently released Sam-O-Sa video.'
He acknowledged, 'The historical issues between South Korea and Japan are deeply painful and sensitive topics for many people,' adding, 'Nevertheless, I made a careless comment without fully considering the gravity of the matter.'
He continued, 'From now on, I will act with greater caution and study history and its context more deeply so that I can be a parent my children can be proud of.' He added, 'Once again, I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by my thoughtless words.'
He continued, 'From now on, I will act with greater caution and study history and its context more deeply so that I can be a parent my children can be proud of.' He added, 'Once again, I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by my thoughtless words.'
The controversy began with a video released on the YouTube channel 354 Sam-O-Sa. Actor Song Jin-woo, who has a Japanese wife, shared concerns about his biracial child’s school life, saying, 'I worry because there are children who have been hurt when learning about history at school.' He explained that he tells his child, 'Your mother is Japanese, your father is Korean,' and clarifies, 'A long time ago, the two countries fought.'
In response, Alberto Mondi mentioned his son Leo as an example. He said, 'When Leo, who is very interested in Korean history, reads books and says, "The Japanese were really bad," I explain, "That was in the past; it’s different now. Aunt Yukari is also Japanese."' He added, 'We should hear both sides.'
After the video was released, viewers criticized it for 'treating the historical context lightly' and 'describing the Japanese colonial period as if it were a simple conflict.'
As the controversy spread, Song Jin-woo initially apologized in a comment on a post from three years ago, but this was questioned for its sincerity. He later issued a formal apology on the 26th, stating, 'My careless words and actions caused hurt and disappointment,' and clarified, 'I had no intention of distorting history.'
The production team also released an apology and set the problematic video to private. They admitted, 'It was our mistake that the cast member’s remarks appeared to distort certain facts,' and acknowledged, 'The editing may have created the impression that "South Korea and Japan fought" was a simple conflict.'
They further explained, 'The phrase "we should hear both sides" was not intended to take a relativistic view of history.' They added, 'It was meant as a general statement about the need to understand various perspectives, but it was not communicated properly.'


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter