DID ROBIN PADILLA ACTED RUDE AND RACIST? | Netizens Slammed Robin Padilla for embarrassing a Korean Contestant in Pilipinas Got Talent

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Manila Philippines - Pilipinas Got Talent judge and Action Star Robin Padilla said he has no regrets scolding the Korean contestant named Jiwan Kim because of not speaking Tagalog during his Audition for Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) aired last Saturday, January 13.

When Jiwan Kim entered the stage of PGT. One of the judges Vice Ganda asked Kim if he has a filipino blood, though its obvious that Kim has an Asian looks not Filipino looks, but he is more like a Korean because of his skin and small eyes just like an Oppa. He confirmed to Vice Ganda that he has no Filipino blood, both Angel and Vice greeted the Korean contestant by saying korean language like "Anyeonghaseyo!' while fans were laughing because we all know that Korean influence has been very popular in the Philippines today.

Kim introduced his girlfriend who is a Filipino. This sparked the curiosity of another judge, Vice Ganda, who asked him: “Do you speak Tagalog?” Vice followed a question if Kim can understand Filipino, Kim answered an honest No, Kim replied: “No, because they didn’t teach it at the international school.” He told the judges that he grew up in the Philippines and met a girl living in the Philippines which makes him more a Pilipino at heart.

As the conversation goes by, it seems that Robin has been observing with the Korean guy. And when its his turn to start her Audition, he approached nearly to the Judges table and asked Robin to use him to participate in his magic trick, the action star declined saying that he should speak tagalog first.

Robin told Kim, "I am very sorry but you cannot use me", Robin told Kim that this is Pilipinas Got Talent, he told Kim also to speak Tagalog and that is the way that he will agree to help him for his trick.

Robin immediately asked Kim, "Magtagalog ka muna bago kita kausapin" Angel Locsin came to the rescue and offered her help in translating the words into tagalog for Kim and Robin to connect and just to ease the drama.

Many netizens reacted and slammed Robin for being racist and reacted rude to the Korean contestant.  The incident earned the ire of the viewers who took into social media about the incident.

See below some of the reactions from the netizens.

Others also saw Angel's gestures as being considerate and helpful to the Korean Contestant.

But during an interview on his latest Teleserye "Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko", the Action Star shared his side regarding the issue.

When he was asked that there were netizens who were angry with his comments after he scolded the Korean guy contestant.

Robin clearly told the reporters that he didn't apologized on what he acted, he reiterated that when he's abroad he tried to learn the language and associate yourself because you are in a foreign land and not your territory.

"Wala akong pinag sisihan, Kasi ako pumupunta din ako sa ibang bansa, At pag pumunta ako sa ibang bansa pinipilit kong malaman kung ano yung salita doon" Kasi bisita ka dun eh ikaw ang makikibagay. 

Kung pupunta ka dito sa Pilipinas at uutusan mo kami at eenglishin mo kami sa banyagang pananalita ay baka nagkakamali ka, bayan ko to. Anytime handa akong mamatay para sa Bayan ko. 

Robin also explained that the Jiwan Kim almost lived in the Philippines for 10 years already and he should really know and learn how to speak Tagalog, He cannot just say that he loves the Philippines and yet you cannot speak the language here. He was just advising the Korean guy just like a father.

But when he was asked about the netizens being called him as rude and racist. Padilla straightforwardly said, "Edi ganun talaga. Edi mahalin nila yung Korean. Wala naman problema sakin yun eh, Magpakamatay sila sa mga Koreano kung gusto nila" 

Here's the clip of the interview

What is your side regarding this issue? Share your thoughts by commenting below!

Source: Inquirer, Push ABSCBN