Naver Webtoon has disqualified the webtoon "Isekai Pong Pong Nam" (literally translated as "Otherworld Easy Target Man") from its 2024 Grand Contest following widespread criticism for its misogynistic content. The decision comes after a significant backlash from users and critics who argued that the webtoon reinforced harmful gender stereotypes.
"Isekai Pong Pong Nam" tells the story of a man who is betrayed by his wife, loses a significant portion of his assets in a divorce, and is transported to another world. The webtoon drew controversy for its use of the internet slang term "pong pong nam," which refers to a man who is financially exploited by his wife. The term has been widely used in online communities to denigrate men who are perceived as weak or submissive in relationships.
The webtoon's depiction of women as gold diggers and the man's subsequent misfortunes in another world were seen as reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes and promoting misogyny.
Following the webtoon's initial passing of the first round of the contest in September, Naver Webtoon faced a significant backlash from users. Social media platforms were flooded with posts calling for a boycott of Naver Webtoon, with users sharing screenshots of them deleting the app. In early November, a group of over 100 users even protested in front of Naver's Green Factory building in Seongnam, criticizing the platform for failing to uphold its responsibilities.
In response to the growing controversy, Naver Webtoon issued a formal apology and announced plans to establish an external advisory committee to review its content guidelines. The committee will be composed of experts in the fields of webtoons, comics, and related industries.
"We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concerns caused by recent issues related to our contest," Naver Webtoon said in a statement. "We will cooperate with the external advisory committee to review our current operating policies, including those for contests, and make necessary improvements."
The decision to disqualify "Isekai Pong Pong Nam" marks a significant step by Naver Webtoon to address concerns about the platform's content and its potential to perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
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