Singer Harim once again expressed his conviction regarding the controversy surrounding the 'blacklist' allegations.

Earlier, Harim revealed that on the 13th, he received a cancellation notice for a performance at an event organized by a state agency. He explained, "At this point, where the wounds of martial law have not completely healed, I was suddenly informed of the cancellation just days before the upcoming event," adding, "The reason was that I sang in the square last year."

The day after, on the 14th, Harim left another lengthy post on his SNS. He began, "I reflect on my position as a musician while sitting on the steps of a bookstore. I hope this small commotion can come to an end."

Harim noted, "I do not know if the blacklist, which was once said to have existed, still exists now," adding, "Ultimately, isn't this a matter stemming from the discretion of some mid-level manager? I understand this not as organized oppression, but as a structure of fear that still exists throughout our society."

He also confessed, "Each time, I quietly withdrew, saying 'Yes, understood,' but those quiet things have ultimately silenced us all," explaining, "To avoid conflict, to avoid causing harm, but to not remain silent."

In response to the question, "Is a musician's statement a political act?" he said, "Music has been used to soothe sorrow and unite hearts. It is natural for musicians to sing when they should be there," adding, "Nowadays, even expressing a sense of solidarity can easily be framed as 'political.'"

He continued, "May music not be a sword or a shield. However, that 'only' music can sometimes be everything to someone in their youth," adding, "I hope friends for whom that music is everything do not get swept away like fallen leaves in political issues. I hope this incident can lead to music returning to a safer place."

Meanwhile, Harim performed at a rally in Gwanghwamun last December calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. He faced criticism from some conservative figures afterward.

Full text of Harim's SNS post

Thinking again about the position of a musician, I browse through several books, sit on the steps of a bookstore, and organize my thoughts. I hope this small commotion can come to an end.

1. Is this also a blacklist?

At this point, where the wounds of martial law have not completely healed, I received a sudden cancellation notice for an event organized by a state agency just days before it. The reason was that I sang in the square last year.

The details of the event and the already confirmed posters were in place, and I was willing to participate in a good cause even with a low guarantee. However, it seems that for someone, the fact that I sang on the street was still uncomfortable.

I do not know if the blacklist, which was once said to have existed, still exists. Even if my name was on some list due to my occasional activities, I did not think it would affect even small, poor events held in minor theaters.

I think this incident ultimately stemmed from some mid-level manager's discretion. Rather than definitively labeling this as organized oppression, I understand it as a structure of fear that still exists throughout our society.

2. Why did you remain silent after receiving such a cancellation notice?

In fact, similar incidents have occurred several times in the past. Each time, I did not raise a problem. I quietly withdrew, saying "Yes, understood," because those who convey such notices are mostly junior staff just starting out in planning, who are in difficult positions to take responsibility. I hoped they would not be hurt, and I replaced it with spending the unexpectedly gained holiday pleasantly. However, I eventually realized that those silent moments have made us all silent.

I initially intended to only document this incident. But thinking that colleagues and juniors who sang with me might find themselves in the same situation, I cautiously decided to organize this story. To avoid conflict, to avoid causing harm, but to not remain silent.

3. Are a musician's statements political actions?

I do not believe that when musicians voice their opinions on social events, it is necessarily a political activity. I think much music inevitably reflects its time. Music has long been used to soothe sorrow and unite hearts. As someone who engages in that work, I believe it is natural to sing when one should be there.

Nowadays, the boundary between what looks political and what is actually political has become very vague. Even reacting to sorrow and expressing a sense of solidarity are easily framed as 'political' and caught in a framework.

While some genuinely desire to raise political voices through music, the media's gaze that interprets all musicians' expressions as political can also stifle the many positive things music can do. K-pop singers, indie artists, and jazz performers all engage in such work. That work primarily carries good energy, and in that energy, audiences and musicians love each other.

When I said I was going to sing in Gwanghwamun before, someone asked, "Harim, should I send you an odeng cart?" I replied, "If it can be shared with the elders over the fence, I would also accept it." Because cold and hunger are fair to everyone. That suggestion was declined with laughter, but the reason I said that was that, during the moments of singing in a place filled with slogans and flags, I hoped everyone could feel safe.

We are all, bit by bit, in the position of the weak. Music serves as a place of rest for us. So today, too, we musicians read books, write lyrics, practice instruments, and polish the small shield called song.

However, I am dreaming. I hope that music is neither a sword nor a shield. Music is just music. However, that 'only' music can become everything for someone in their youthful days. I record this commotion in hopes that none of the friends for whom that music is everything get swept away like fallen leaves in political issues. I sincerely wish that this incident can lead music to a safer place.

[Photo] OSEN DB

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