KPOP musical demands apology after New York Times ‘racist’ review

The producers of KPOP: The Musical on Friday demanded an apology from the New York Times for an allegedly racist remark by theater critic Jesse Green.

Producers Tim Forbes and Joey Parnes slammed the critic for “casual racism” in a letter sent to The New York Times chairman and editor, AG Sulzberger, and theater editor Nicole Herrington.

“We are the producers of the recently opened Broadway musical KPOP, and we are writing to ask you to apologize to the cast and creators of our show for the insensitive and frankly offensive review of Jesse Green,” reads the the letter.

“To be clear, we respect Mr. Green’s right to criticize the show. What we’re asking you to address is the cultural insensitivity, underlying ignorance and dislike of K-pop as a genre, and what comes across as casual racism in its review.

“That this would be the case in The New York Times is frankly amazing,” the letter continues.

KPOP – which opened on November 27, 2022 – tells the story of three different groups participating in a one-night-only documentary about KPOP.

In his review, Green said that Jiyoun Chang’s lighting design was “squinting,” which the producers called a “harmful stereotype.”

Green also felt that people who didn’t speak Korean could not understand most of the show without English subtitles.

“Is a Broadway show valid only if it caters to and is aimed exclusively at a white, English-speaking audience?” write the producers.

A “KPOP” star also slammed the review on social media posts.

“If you’re not an Asian American who has been poked fun at for your squinty eyes or slanted eyes, I’m sorry I don’t want to hear from you right now. You can have a seat,” Abraham Lim said on Instagram.

The Post reached out to Green for comment.

KPOP: The Musical is currently playing at New York’s Circle in the Square Theater.