OH MY GIRL (오마이걸) member Mimi (김미현) recently appeared on the 80th episode of the YouTube channel '12th Floor' (십이층) web show 'Currently Operating' (영업중). Alongside hosts Kwak Beom (곽범) and Kim Ji-yu (김지유), she discussed her views on relationships, ideal types, and behind-the-scenes industry topics. Unexpectedly, when the conversation turned to other celebrities she encounters at broadcasting stations, Mimi made a surprising revelation, directly criticizing some idols for their arrogant and perfunctory greetings, often just giving a slight nod, which she found incredibly frustrating.
During the show, Mimi revealed that she has not been in a relationship since she was 17. When asked if she had ever felt a romantic spark with someone, she admitted that it is difficult for her to develop feelings for a person, with one key reason being “the other person's attitude.”
Mimi stated frankly that she frequently encounters many idols and singers while working at broadcasting stations. “Some people just act really arrogant and conceited, as if it's a basic requirement,” she said. She even demonstrated their greeting style on the spot, showing how they would not make eye contact, merely giving a casual nod as they passed by, considering it a completed greeting.
Mimi could not help but complain, “Regardless of whether they're interested in me or not, just seeing that kind of casual nod as a greeting makes me furious.” She added, “If they greet me politely, I'll happily respond. If you're going to greet someone, why can't you do it properly?” Kim Ji-yu, who was listening nearby, strongly resonated with Mimi's sentiments, exclaiming, “Recently, many people really do greet others like that.”
Although Mimi did not directly name any artists, her unreserved description of the common “perfunctory greetings” within broadcasting stations still sparked discussion online. Many fans also found her remarks very direct, feeling she voiced what many were afraid to say.
In fact, discussions about “junior etiquette” in the Korean entertainment industry have been ongoing in recent years, especially regarding how idols greet others in public settings like broadcasting stations and awards ceremonies, which frequently becomes a focal point for netizens.
At the 2024 MAMA Awards held at Kyocera Dome Osaka, Japan, G-Dragon (권지용) was honored with the “Music Visionary Of The Year” award. When he went on stage to accept the award, he performed a deep 90-degree bow to presenter Jung Ho-yeon (정호연), a humble and polite gesture that garnered significant attention and discussion at the time.
Many netizens subsequently revisited the etiquette culture of second-generation idols. In the past, many second-generation groups would often perform a 90-degree bow to show respect when encountering seniors, staff, or other artists in public. Such scenes were considered by many fans to be a distinct cultural characteristic of the Korean entertainment industry back then.
Kim Hyo-yeon (김효연), a member of Girls' Generation (소녀시대), also a representative second-generation girl group, previously discussed the issue of junior idols' greetings on a show. She admitted that she felt somewhat regretful seeing some junior singers at broadcasting stations who were not very proactive in greeting their seniors.
Hyoyeon recalled that when she was a trainee, she would always bow and greet even staff members who delivered meals; she would also bow her head to express gratitude when opening doors, maintaining a grateful attitude towards everyone working around her daily.
She even mentioned that in the past, after finishing meals, they would clean their used utensils so thoroughly, almost as if they had been washed, before returning them to their original place.
In contrast, Hyoyeon once described how some junior idols at broadcasting stations “rarely proactively come to greet” seniors, sometimes even passing by without making eye contact. She emphasized that she was not demanding every junior to specifically approach her to greet, but at least when encountering someone in the hallway, basic eye contact and a greeting should be common courtesy.
In Hyoyeon's view, greeting is not just superficial politeness but the first step in building relationships with colleagues. Now that Mimi has brought up a similar topic again, the differences in “greeting culture” between different generations in the Korean entertainment industry have once more become a focal point for netizens' discussions.
