Recently, the K-pop group TXT has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The word “Hapa” was used to describe member Huening Kai in a recent article about the group in GQ magazine, know its meaning in Hawaiian
The original title of the article about Huening Kai’s mixed-race background was “the Hapa who makes everyone laugh.”
Hapa meaning in Hawaiian explained as GQ TXT article outrages Huening Kai Fans
The word “Hapa” comes from “Hapa Haole,” which means “half white” in Hawaiian. But after fans complained about the use of the term, the article changed the description to “the multiracial one who makes everyone laugh.”
English isn’t my first language so I wanted to know what “hapa” meant I’m not sure how accurate this is, but still weird how they want to label them so much 🤮 https://t.co/LdwtwvkslC pic.twitter.com/cAmJWuk3H1
— Michi🐈⬛ (HUENINGKAI 🐧 CENTRAL) (@OscarlucioM) March 15, 2023
Some Asians don’t like to use the word “Hapa” because it means “half white” and it can be factually wrong to call any multi-racial Asian a “Hapa.” Also, the word “Haole” is often used in a way that is offensive to white people.
Huening Kai’s fans demand edits in the GQ magazine
Many fans have taken to social media to say how upset they are that the article used the term. They have asked GQ magazine to say sorry and pointed out the mistakes in the way the magazine used the term.
We won't stop until they apologize to TXT ‼️
TXT IS TXT #GQ_RESPECT_TXT#GQ_apologize_to_TXT @GQMagazine @chrisgayomali pic.twitter.com/LaDo7UBvhy
— jjuni ᥫ᭡ (@CYJ99ARCHIVES) March 15, 2023
TXT made their debut in 2019. Since then they have become known as one of the most important voices of Gen Z in fourth-generation K-pop. The group has charted multiple albums in the Billboard 200. Which shows how big of an impact they have had in just four years since they first came out.
Because of the Huening Kai hapa controversy, fans have asked publications to be more careful with the words they use and learn the right way to talk about people who are more than one race.
Who is Huening Kai?
Huening Kai is in the K-pop group TXT, which is also called Tomorrow X Together. He was born on August 14, 2002, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother is Korean and his father is German-American. He can speak English, Korean, and Japanese well, and his singing and dancing have won him praise.
TXT BOOKED AND BUSY!
yeonjun&soobin: W Korea (April)
taehyun&beomgyu: ELLE Korea (April)
Huening Kai: W Korea (April) pic.twitter.com/JvY0fgDORC— krysten (@TXTUNOFFlClAL) March 17, 2023
MOAs, which is what TXT’s fans are called, love Huening Kai because he is talented and has a lot of charm. People like him because he is always happy and upbeat, and he can make anyone laugh. His mixed race makes him an important example of diversity in the K-pop industry, and many of his fans around the world have been inspired by him to be proud of who they are.
In conclusion, the question of whether “Hapa” is a slur is still up for debate, but the use of the word in the GQ article has caused a stir among Huening Kai fans and shows the need for education and sensitivity in how the media portrays people with more than one race.
To know more about Huening Kai, do follow The SportsGrail on a regular and frequent basis.
ALSO READ: Bobby Caldwell cause of death, obituary, net worth 2023, age, wife and songs