A notorious South Korean DJ “monk” who imparts Buddhist wisdom and life advice to Generation Z over his music will be banned from performing in Singapore, the Minister said today.
Youn Sung-ho, known as NewJeansNim, is a comedian turned musician. He is said to be popularizing Buddhism among young South Koreans – although his shows have taken off in the region.
He was scheduled to perform at a hotel in Singapore, where the law prohibits speech or actions deemed harmful to religious harmony. “Police informed the nightclub owners that action would be taken if the show went ahead. They understood our position and agreed to cooperate,” K Shanmugam said on his Facebook page. “This news came on the day of Vesak, it is unfortunate. But the Buddhist community (like other communities) knows that the government will take strong action against such things,” he added, referring to ‘sacred Buddhist ceremony. The DJ performed earlier this month in predominantly Muslim Malaysia, which has a significant Buddhist minority.
But a second concert planned for later in May was canceled after his performance saw offended local Buddhists complain to the police. In South Korea, he received the support of his supporters and the president of the country’s largest Buddhist organization, the Jogye Order,
who encouraged him to continue, seeing DJ as a way to attract new youth.
