Karen Davila and BINI members. Image: Instagram/@iamkarendavila, @bini_ph
Karen Davila made clarifications on her earlier remark about how BINI is “opening the door” for P-pop on the international stage, which drew backlash from netizens including SB19 fans.
The veteran broadcaster spoke about BINI on “TV Patrol” last Tuesday, July 23, after a report about the octet being the first P-pop group to perform at the KCON LA 2024. The international event is a three-day concert and convention featuring the biggest acts and rising stars of K-pop.
“Ang galing ng BINI,” Davila noted. “Ang maganda do’n kasi ‘di ba ang K-pop sikat sa buong mundo, maganda ‘yung BINI na silang magbubukas ng pintuan para [sa] P-pop. ‘Pag sumikat sila, sisikat din ‘yung iba pang Pilipino.”
A clip of Davila’s statement then made rounds on X (formerly Twitter) and was not well received by some, most especially by the fans of SB19 dubbed as A’TIN.
Ito yung sinabi ni Karen Davila sa TV Patrol kanina regarding KPOP and PPOP. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/xCSYIFtfrC
— britrey 🇵🇭 (@britrey) July 23, 2024
“[Karen Davila], your comment was disappointing,” one @vytel99 tweeted. “P-pop is being known globally now because SB19 spearheaded it to what it is now. They are the trailblazers.”
@iamkarendavila, your comment was disappointing.
As a journalist hindi ba you should check your facts first?
PPop is being known globally now because SB19 spearheaded it to what it is now. They are the trailblazers. #fact— ate cynch⚠️|🇺🇸@US_ATIN ⁽⁰⁴⁾⁶¹⁹ (@vytel99) July 23, 2024
“Matagal na pong bukas [ang pinto]. Binuksan na po ng SB19,” X user @kenibilismFELIP argued.
Matagal na pong bukas. Binuksan na po ng SB19 😀😀😀
— Ren 🇵🇭 (@kenibilismFELIP) July 23, 2024
“I still like you Ms. Karen, but please get your facts straight. SB19 crawled so others can walk. Don’t invalidate their hard work,” wrote one @HyggeAndBookish.
I still like you Ms. @iamkarendavila, but please get your facts straight. SB19 crawled so others can walk. Don’t invalidate their hard work. Amidst all the hate being thrown at them by their fellow Filipinos, they’re still proudly representing the country & Ppop wherever they go.
— Svetlana Gomez🌱 (@HyggeAndBookish) July 23, 2024
Davila then addressed the criticisms on Friday, July 26, saying, “SB19 first opened the doors for PPOP internationally and made history! BINI is carving their own—being the first all girl group to hit it big. I should’ve been more specific.”
“SB19 & BINI, you make us all proud! And may you both open more doors for aspiring local artists. Both are Proudly Filipino,” she added.
SB19 first opened the doors for PPOP internationally and made history! BINI is carving their own – being the first all girl group to hit it big.
I should’ve been more specific. SB19 & BINI, you make us all proud! And may you both open more doors for aspiring local artists ❤️… https://t.co/wjn2IzMOA9
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) July 26, 2024
Several netizens, meanwhile, came to the defense of Davila, arguing that some might not know the context of her statement and misunderstood it.
“Mind you, all Karen Davila said was that BINI was the first P-pop act to attend KCON and that from them, it would be nice if more Filipino acts would be able to get the same opportunities in the future. Nothing there was anything to be mad at and she wasn’t even discrediting anyone,” said @andfckbbc.
mind you all karen davila said was that bini was the first ppop act to attend kcon and that from them, it would be nice if more filipino acts would be able to get the same opportunities in the future. nothing there was anything to be mad at and she wasnt even discrediting anyone. https://t.co/R8ZIRrPPDw
— love cherry motion on top 🍒 (@andfckbbc) July 26, 2024
“You didn’t say anything wrong, ma’am. It’s their fault na hindi nila maintindihan ung pinopoint niyo,” user @HannaaaaaKim addressed Davila. “Hindi po nila pinanood ‘yung full na balita kaya siguro na misinterpret nila. Both groups are deserving naman na makilala internationally.”
you didn’t say anything wrong ma’am it’s their fault na hindi nila maintindihan ung pinopoint nyo, hindi po nila pinanood ung full na balita kaya siguro na misinterpret nila. Both groups are deserving naman na makilala internationally
— mika ʚï (@HannaaaaaKim) July 26, 2024
Members of both BINI and SB19, who shared the stage earlier at a thanksgiving concert, did not immediately comment on the matter.