The Cross's Kim Hyuk-gun weighs in on Park Wi controversy

Kim Hyuk-gun, a member of the group The Cross, shared a cautious but clear perspective based on his own experience regarding the controversy surrounding the release of YouTuber Park Wi's KTX accident video. He suggested that the way disability is revealed to the public can vary from person to person, and above all, one must consider the social perceptions and support systems surrounding people with disabilities.

On the 24th, Kim posted a long message on his SNS, stating, "I strive to show only my music and performance without revealing my physical handicap." He explained his content direction, saying, "Even when making YouTube videos, I try to ensure my wheelchair is not unnecessarily visible."

He continued, "My channel has few subscribers, but I don't believe I need to increase them by seeking sympathy or special attention due to my disability." Instead, he emphasized, "It is joyful and happy to play the music I want and love to my heart's content, sharing it with you all and empathizing together."

For Kim, disability is an undeniable reality of his life, but it is not the sole identity that defines him. After being diagnosed with quadriplegia due to a severe cervical spine injury in a traffic accident in 2012, he underwent a grueling rehabilitation process. Despite facing significant difficulties in essential physical functions for a singer, including vocal cords and breathing, he has continued his musical activities by returning to the stage.

Having had such experiences, Kim revealed that he has been watching the recent controversy surrounding the disabled YouTuber. Rather than directly criticizing Park, he focused on the fact that the method of revealing a disability can differ for each individual.

Kim acknowledged that there is a certain social significance to activities like Park's, stating, "I believe that proudly revealing one's disability and telling one's life story is also clearly meaningful." However, he added, "For many people with severe disabilities, including myself, it may not always be easy to proudly reveal one's disability to the world."

In particular, he expressed concern regarding some of the reactions spreading online following the controversy. He cautioned against the situation where the incident is spreading beyond criticism of a specific individual into negative perceptions of all people with disabilities, noting, "I saw comments such as 'I won't help people with disabilities in the future' or 'There is no need to help.'"

Instead, Kim emphasized the importance of social support provided to people with disabilities. He stated, "I am grateful to have been born in the Republic of Korea and to be able to live in Seoul," adding, "Without much help, such as disabled person taxis, subway facilities, and activity support services, it would be difficult for those with the most severe disabilities to live their daily lives."

This is interpreted as pointing out a reality that is difficult to explain through an individual's will or a narrative of overcoming alone. This is because the independence of people with disabilities is possible not only through individual effort but also when public systems, such as mobility rights, care, medical, and social services, work together.

The controversy began when Park released a video on his YouTube channel showing a fall accident that occurred while he was disembarking from a KTX on the 14th. The released CCTV footage captured the moment Park fell from his wheelchair as its wheel got caught in the foot of a social service agent who was assisting him.

It is known that the social service agent apologized to Park at the scene, but by releasing the video, Park raised the issue that safety education and caution are needed during the movement of people with disabilities. However, some criticized that using a scene of an individual's mistake as public content was excessive.

As the controversy expanded, Park deleted the video and posted an apology. Subsequently, the debate surrounding the incident expanded beyond the simple appropriateness of releasing the video to a debate over the safety and mobility rights of people with disabilities, the responsibility and limits of those providing help, and the way disability is handled as content.

Park is also a person with a disability who was diagnosed with quadriplegia following an accident in 2014. It is known that after hearing news of his transition to a full-time position at the company where he was working as an intern, he fell from a building two stories high after having drinks with friends, resulting in nerve damage. Since then, through his YouTube activities, he has continuously shared stories about the daily lives of people with disabilities and social prejudices while undergoing rehabilitation.

Ultimately, Kim's message focuses on reflecting on the social gaze toward disability rather than determining which side is right or wrong in this controversy. He urged, "I hope we can understand each other a little more and live together," adding, "I hope this incident does not leave too much hurt and despair for one another."

Whether to hide or reveal a disability, or to accept or refuse help, can vary depending on an individual's life conditions and experiences. The important thing is to recognize that people with disabilities are independent subjects with the right to choose their own lives, rather than reducing disability to a consumable image or a subject of debate. Kim's remarks serve as a reminder that this controversy must be viewed from that very perspective.