A Brazilian novel first published more than 40 years ago has unexpectedly become a highly sought-after read, after the Korean pop star IU was accused of sexualising the story of its five-year-old protagonist in one of her songs.
José Mauro de Vasconcelos’s My Sweet Orange Tree, first published in Portuguese in 1968 and in English in 1970, is set in Rio de Janeiro and follows the life of the boy Zeze, as he gets up to mischief and is mistreated. “Everyone beats him. If you look softhearted he will tell you it’s revolting the way they beat on a little kid. Can you believe him when he says he’s only six? No! The boy is a liar. He is five years old,” runs the copy on the first UK edition.
My Sweet Orange Tree has been out of print in English for years, but Abebooks.com has reported that the novel became its most searched-for title late last week after controversy enveloped IU’s pop song Zeze, which is based on the story. The bookseller’s Richard Davies said that My Sweet Orange Tree was “a much-loved book in South Korea and often studied in schools”.
According link, the book’s Korean publisher has issued a statement saying that: “We regret the way the five-year-old character is portrayed as a sexual object.”
The paper quotes lines from IU’s song which run: “Zeze, come on up the tree quick and kiss the leaves, don’t be naughty and don’t hurt the tree, come up the tree and get the youngest leaf … you are innocent but shrewd, transparent but dirty and there is no way of knowing what’s living inside.”
IU has since issued an apology, translated by the K-pop Herald, in which she describes My Sweet Orange Tree as a “treasured book”, and says: “I swear I did not write the lyrics to sexualise a five-year-old child. The Zeze in my song is a third-party fictional creation taken from the motif in the original novel.”
She goes on to apologise, writing: “However, after listening to the opinions of those who have listened to the song, I came to realise that its contents could have given offence and even caused some to grieve. I am wholly responsible for my immature handling of things as a lyricist.”
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Composer-turned-singer Yoo Jae Hwan talked about dieting on the September 30th broadcast of MBC FM radio show “Jung Joon Young’s Sim Sim Ta Pa.” He was a guest on the show along with musical actor Kim Ho Young.
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“I tried dieting five times just this year,” Yoo Jae Hwan said. “I felt that as a composer, my songs wouldn’t come out if my brain wasn’t fed.” He went on to talk about how he would eat when stressed because of the psychological pressure, but also drink and eat when he was happy.
Kim Ho Young said, “If IU said it’d be good to lose weight, I think you’d lose weight really fast.” Yoo Jae Hwan agreed quickly, making a 180-degree turn from his previous statement. DJ Jung Joon Young commented, “It seems you can’t help being a man.”
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“I tried dieting five times just this year,” Yoo Jae Hwan said. “I felt that as a composer, my songs wouldn’t come out if my brain wasn’t fed.” He went on to talk about how he would eat when stressed because of the psychological pressure, but also drink and eat when he was happy.
Kim Ho Young said, “If IU said it’d be good to lose weight, I think you’d lose weight really fast.” Yoo Jae Hwan agreed quickly, making a 180-degree turn from his previous statement. DJ Jung Joon Young commented, “It seems you can’t help being a man.”
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IU and Lee Hyun Woo are seen donning couple looks from the brand′s fall collection for the street style-inspired spread.
A rep from Unionbay stated, "IU and Lee Hyun Woo shot the fall spread after successfully completing their respective drama Producers and film Northern Limit Line, and they gave off a more mature feel. That feel is captured in the spread, creating a new kind of chemistry."
All of the behind-the-scenes action from the photo shoot and an interview with the stars can be found on Unionbay′s Facebook.
Photo credit: Unionbay
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IU and hyukoh have gotten together for a live performance of "Gondry".
The singer and indie band originally collaborated for "Infinity Challenge", but they recently surprised a crowd at a cafe in Sangsudong, Seoul.
It seems there was no particular reason for the performance except the coming fall season. The above video reveals footage from their live song at the intimate venue.
Check it out above!
Source: link
IU and hyukoh have gotten together for a live performance of "Gondry".
The singer and indie band originally collaborated for "Infinity Challenge", but they recently surprised a crowd at a cafe in Sangsudong, Seoul.
It seems there was no particular reason for the performance except the coming fall season. The above video reveals footage from their live song at the intimate venue.
Check it out above!
Source: link
