Image: Instagram/@officialtimyap
Host and entrepreneur Tim Yap recently received flak from fans of Korean girl group Momoland over his remarks to some of the members during their fan meet and greet last Dec. 3 at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent.
Clips from the event surfaced on social media, showing the girls on stage during what appears to be a “What’s Inside the Box?” game.
In one video shared by a Momoland fan account (@MerryForevs) on Dec. 3, member Taeha can be seen jumping around giddily on stage during the game and telling the audience she loves them. Yap, who served as the event’s host, can be heard in the background saying, “Sira na ulo.”
“Grabe tong si Tim makasabe ng ‘sira na ulo’ sa tingin mo nakakatawa yon?” wrote the Twitter account. “Hays. Where’s the respect bruh?”
https://twitter.com/MerryForevs/status/1069571997556858880
In another video shared by another fan account (momolandeu) via Bridgettemcbride on Dec. 4, Taeha and Nayun can be seen still playing the game. Nayun, at one point, screams and runs away after inserting her hand inside the box.
“Ang lakas ng imagination nito,” Yap was heard saying in jest. “Ano bang tinira nito?”
Tim Yap: Ang lakas ng imagination nito. Ano bang tinira nito? 😑
— ˣʸ (@xxlalalalisa) December 4, 2018
Many Momoland fans have since taken to Twitter to call out Yap for his remarks and air their disappointment.
“We are very disappointed at you Tim Yap for disrespecting the girls,” one Twitter account (@SailorYeonwoo_) wrote on Dec. 4. “Do you really need to say ‘Anong nahithit mo? To Taeha! And saying siraulo to the girls?!”
https://twitter.com/SailorYeonwoo_/status/1069836643887067136
The netizen added that Yap reportedly did not know Yeonwoo, one of the members of Momoland. “Plus he doesn’t know Yeonwoo, ok na sana e kasi wala kang preno, what a shame!!”
Another, a certain Red (@bonheuminjo) wrote on Dec. 3 that it was disappointing to have Yap as the event’s host.
“Do you really need to say ‘Ano nahithit neto?’ to Taeha?! Where’s the respect?” the netizen said. “Plus he’s talking to the members in Tagalog and the worst part is he doesn’t know Yeonwoo.”
https://twitter.com/bonheurminjoo/status/1069555093584769024
Meanwhile Yap, on his end, has since taken to his Twitter to sincerely apologize to the Momoland fans affected by his comments.
“I apologize for how my comments might have affected Momoland fans. In the venue you could feel how much fun we were all having, including the members of the group,” Yap explained. “Everything that we said in English and Filipino was immediately translated to Korean.”
— Tim Yap (@officialTIMYAP) December 4, 2018
Yap also understood how his remarks could have been misconstrued from the short clips that circulated on social media, but he clarified that “there was no malice or any negative intention from my part.”
Moreover, he promised that he would host programs in full English when it comes to international artists.
“I’ll make it up to you this time,” he said, as he asked for suggestions from the fans. “Comment below how I can make it better for all of you. I am sorry.” Cody Cepeda /ra
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