Naver Cafe ‘Jeon Han-gil Korean History’. Screenshot from Jeon Han-gil Korean History Cafe.
Students in the ‘Jeon Han-gil Korean History’ cafe, run by the popular Korean history instructor Jeon Han-gil, are voicing their dissatisfaction and are even leaving the cafe.
The cafe boasts a membership of 350,000 exam takers who are enrolled in Mr. Jeon’s lectures. It was created by Mr. Jeon to share exam-related information, past exam questions, and success stories.
However, when Mr. Jeon continuously posted his political views in the cafe, some students expressed discontent. Complaints arose since there are now less than 100 days until the government civil service level 9 exam.
In response, Mr. Jeon posted an announcement on January 26 with the title, “It’s Han-gil here. Even if I’m criticized now, this is how Han-gil will proceed.”
The post begins with, “Even if I am criticized now, eventually, people will understand Han-gil’s sincerity, and therefore, I will keep moving forward quietly.”
Mr. Jeon remarked, “I posted three additional YouTube videos hoping the judiciary, the media, and the Election Commission, which had many corruption allegations regarding fraudulent elections, would reflect and restore their honor,” expressing his views.
He also apologized to students preparing for upcoming civil service exams, reassuring them, “Since over 90% are already taking online video lectures, they can sufficiently study with the already uploaded lectures, and I will, of course, do my best to upload the remaining lectures.”
The post, viewed 39,000 times, attracted various comments such as “Always supporting you, Han-gil,” “Worried about Han-gil,” and “If you keep posting pro-military texts and incite students, why not create a separate cafe?”
Subsequently, Mr. Jeon posted another announcement on February 2 titled, “It’s Han-gil here. Please, to those visiting our cafe.”
This post, talking about topics like “personal historical perspective,” “martial law,” and “survey institution threats,” also sparked controversy by stating, “If any media, person, or party frames Jeon Han-gil as far-right after this time, consider them ‘far-left’.”
The post, currently viewed 19,000 times, contains comments such as “Democratic Party supporters, answer this~~!!!” at the end of each paragraph, leading to a variety of responses based on political leanings.
In such a scenario, not only students but also individuals with diverse political beliefs have joined the Jeon Han-gil Korean History cafe, leaving comments, raising concerns about the future direction of the cafe’s operation.
Students approaching exams are increasingly frustrated, with comments like “Hoped it would remain a civil service cafe…” and “I’m disappointed in the instructor. The exam is approaching, and it’s becoming difficult to use the cafe.”