Billboard Ad Featuring Kim Jong-un Saying ‘Ahhh, Soul’ Is Deemed ‘Racist’
Left image via Alexander Khitrov / Shutterstock.com, right image via Facebook
A controversial billboard ad in Wales, UK has drawn mixed reactions online.
The ad featured a smiling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as he held up a meal by vegan food company Soulful Food. The line “Ahhh, Soul” is printed next to him. In the background, a nuclear explosion is seen going off in the distance.
According to New York Post, the phrase is based on the words “Ah, so,” derived from the Japanese term ”ā sō.” The term is used to show understanding but it is also used as a stereotype towards East Asian accents.
The ad has divided many social media users, with some finding it humorous while others claimed it was “racist.”
“I just want to know why Soulful Food Co thought such a racist ad would be a good idea in November 2020,” an angry fan wrote. “How did it get to this point that no one on your team recognized that this was racist? Do you have any non-white people on it and what positions do they hold? Absolutely ridiciulous,” another penned.
Meanwhile, fans of the ad thought it was “hilarious.” “The best bit of advertising ever. All the reviews prove the point that people actually notice things especially when it is controversial for some people. I personally think it is brilliant and brightened up my day,” a fan shared.
Soulful Food has agreed to pull its controversial billboard and has also issued an apology for any offense caused.
A representative for the company said, “We’re really sorry we’ve caused offense and realize we have made a misjudgement with this advert. Our intention was to highlight the world needs more soul right now, but we got the message wrong. We will be taking them down as soon as possible.”
[via New York Post, cover image via Alexander Khitrov / Shutterstock.com, Facebook]
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