‘I hate K-pop’ – meet Imelda Schweighart, the former Miss Philippines Earth who once compared Rodrigo Duterte to Hitler
Blackpink? BTS? Exo? Nope, the German-Filipino beauty queen only went and wrote off all Korean popular music in one foul, three-word swipe – earning a multitude of mortal enemies in the process
But that’s where Imelda Schweighart has apparently drawn her line in the sand, taking aim at not just one idol, boy band or girl group, but dissing the whole Korean pop enchilada. ICYMI: the former Miss Philippines Earth titleholder made international headlines after posting three simple words on Facebook: “I hate K-pop”. Uh-oh.
If you live in the Philippines or are familiar with Schweighart’s career, such attention-grabbing antics probably come as no surprise. But, for those of us who may have no idea who she is, here’s what you need to know about K-pop fans’ new public enemy No 1.
Her argument? She thinks K-pop is bad for the Filipino identity
Schweighart elaborated on her controversial statement by arguing that Filipinos are “losing their identity trying to be like Koreans. Konting pride, please?”
She went on to say that Filipinos speak English better than Koreans and, replying to comments, said that Filipinos should not be bending to trends or fads.
Her commentary has opened up a Pandora’s box of backlash from groups including the BTS Army, Once, SONE, Shawols, Universe and other K-pop fans coming to their favourite genre’s defence on Twitter – and in her Facebook comments section.
She’s German-Filipino and a former pageant queen
Like other famous beauty queens in the Philippines, Schweighart is mixed-race. Her father is German while her mother is Filipino. Schweighart was also born in Cyprus, but she is based in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and represented the coastal city as Miss Puerto Princesa in 2016.