South Korean DJ 'monk' performance must not involve religious elements if it is to proceed, say authorities

SINGAPORE: The planned performance of a South Korean DJ “monk” must not involve any religious elements if it is to proceed, the police said on Tuesday (May 21) after issuing an advisory to the nightclub involved in staging the event. 

The entertainer, known as DJ NewJeansNim, has gained notoriety for performing while wearing a monk's robe and incorporating Buddhist mantras into his set.

The man, who is not affiliated with the popular K-pop group NewJeans, is currently scheduled to perform his first show in Singapore at Club Rich on Jun 19 and Jun 20. 

Promotional material by the club, which is located along Middle Road, showed the DJ sporting a shaven head and clad in a monk’s robe, with his hands in a prayer position. 

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a statement on Tuesday night that it was aware of the planned performance and had engaged the licensee and stakeholder of the club.

In response to CNA's queries, the owner of Club Rich said on Wednesday that the performance will proceed as planned.

The club said that it will ensure that DJ NewJeansNim does not wear a monk's robe, use a monk's instrument or play music related to Buddhist mantras.

"Club Rich respects all religions and we will ensure that the performance will turn out to be a non-religious related performance," the owner added.

According to the Public Entertainment Licence conditions, the licensee must ensure that the public entertainment provided at their premise is not likely to be offensive to any race, religion, ethnicity or nationality or potentially cause disharmony amongst different groups. 

“Given the nature of the planned performance, the act may be in violation of this condition,” the police said earlier. 

The police added that the club has acknowledged its advisory and said that it will ensure that the performance adheres to the licensing conditions. 

This includes ensuring that the performance will not involve any elements associated with religion, be it in the attire, hand gestures, artefacts, songs and lyrics, said SPF. 

"NOT ACCEPTABLE"

Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam noted earlier on Wednesday that the performer has used religious verses in song lyrics and a Buddhist prayer item in his previous shows. 

“This would have been offensive to our Buddhist community. This is not acceptable,” he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday. 

“Police have told the nightclub owners that action will be taken, if the performance proceeds. They understood our position, and have agreed to cooperate. 

“This news has come out on Vesak Day, an unfortunate coincidence. But the Buddhist community, (like other communities) knows that the government will take firm action, in respect of such things.”

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, Edwin Tong said late on Tuesday that the government has “clear rules” about what can or cannot be staged at such public entertainment performances.

“The rationale is very clear; we live in a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural society, we respect each other, and we take steps to protect our social cohesion.

“We take a very serious view of acts which denigrates religion. This is an offence, and cannot be tolerated.”

He added that the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth has worked with the police, which has “proactively engaged” the licence holder, and reminded them to adhere strictly to the licence conditions. 

“The licence holder has assured the police that they will ensure that any performance staged will adhere to the licensing conditions, including ensuring that the performance will not involve any elements which is associated with religion.”

"NOT A MONK"

The Singapore Buddhist Federation had earlier called for the cancellation of the show. 
 
"NewJeansNim is not a monk who should not put on monk's robe to perform, which is against (the) Vinaya [the code of conduct for Buddhist monks]. Hopefully, relevant authorities (are) able to reject the permits for (his) performance so (as) to avoid bringing embarrassment to Buddhists,” it said on Sunday. 

NewJeansNim previously faced backlash for his performances in Malaysia from Venerable Jue Cheng, the chief abbess of Fo Guang Shan in Singapore and Malaysia, as well as Wee Ka Siong, the president of the Malaysian Chinese Association.

Following the controversy, NewJeansNim's remaining shows in Malaysia were cancelled.

NewJeansNim, whose real name is Yoon Seong-ho, has experienced a steady rise in popularity in South Korea in recent months.

South Korea's largest English-language newspaper The Korea Herald reported that The Jogye Order, South Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, has employed NewJeansNim as part of its outreach efforts.

In a meeting with NewJeansNim, the president of The Jogye Order Venerable Jin-woo said: "I am thankful for the work you have done in spreading a much younger Buddhism to the young generation."

In that same meeting, Venerable Jin-woo also presented NewJeansNim with prayer beads and a headset.