Remember that one South Korean DJ whose whole schtick is to dress up like a monk and include Buddhist elements into his set, and was set to perform in a club in Singapore in June?
The last we’ve heard of his story, the announcement of the DJ, DJ NewJeansNim, performing in Singapore was met with immense backlash from the public, primarily (and naturally) from the Buddhist population.
As of 23 May 2024, the organizer of the event, Club Rich, addressed concerns by assuring the public that there will be no Buddhist or sacrilegious elements incorporated into his set.
The plot thickens, however.
The local nightclub had planned to continue the performance by the controversial South Korean DJ without any Buddhist elements, but they have since cancelled the event altogether.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) stated last week that it was aware of the planned performance and had engaged with the club’s licensee and stakeholders.
In response, the club owner had promised that religious elements, such as the monk’s robe, the use of a monk’s instrument, and music related to Buddhist mantras, would not be part of the show.
According to Public Entertainment Licence conditions, the licensee must ensure that the public entertainment provided at their premises does not offend any race, religion, ethnicity, or nationality, or potentially cause disharmony among different groups.
The police noted that the nature of the planned performance might violate this condition. The police also added that the club had acknowledged their advisory and would ensure that the performance adheres to licensing conditions, which included avoiding any elements associated with religion, whether in attire, hand gestures, artefacts, songs, or lyrics.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong had also spoken out against the planned performance.
Mr Shanmugam warned that using religious verses in the performance would be offensive to Singapore’s Buddhist community.
Despite the warnings, Club Rich informed the press that DJ NewJeansNim had insisted on playing two songs involving Buddhist scriptures, contrary to what was instructed of them.
Of course, a show would be impossible at that point.
He was scheduled to perform at the club, located along Middle Road, on 19 and 20 June.
Refunds will be provided, the club said.
“We are sad to cancel the shows, but out of respect for Buddhism, we decided not to go ahead with the performance,” added the owner.
The president of the Singapore Buddhist Federation, Venerable Seck Kwang Phing, went on local television on Friday, 31 May, to say that the nightclub owner had contacted him earlier, and they had a friendly conversation on the phone.
Venerable Seck Kwang Phing thanked the club for hearing him out and also expressed gratitude to the two ministers for addressing the matter.
“I thank the club owner for being receptive to others’ views and opinions and (Ministers Edwin Tong and K Shanmugam) who spoke up on this matter in a timely manner. These allow us to maintain religious harmony in the end.”