IVE's Rei apologized for making racially insensitive remarks.

On July 31, Rei responded to backlash about her remarks concerning a "tanning" Hello Kitty doll she made during a live stream. During the stream, Rei showed fans her Hello Kitty doll, referring to it as a "tanning Kitty." She went on to explain she dressed the doll in clothes with "hip hop" vibes and pretended the doll was rapping. 

Netizens raised issues with her remarks as it seemed she was associating the "tanning Kitty" with certain racial stereotypes. While some expressed Rei was being racist, others asserted she had no ill intentions.

Rei then took to a fan messaging app to apologize and address the concerns. She wrote, "While I was monitoring my live stream, I found out that the remarks I made during the last live because I wanted to show off my favorite doll to Dive (IVE's fanclub) were inappropriate, which was not my intention. I also want to acknowledge that I made the wrong remarks on Dive's live show around the world and sincerely apologize to Dive who I've hurt because of this. As we communicate, I will think about how every single word I say feels to Dive and become a Rei who can always deliver happiness to Dive with responsibility. I am not good at English, so I am sorry to deliver it in Korean."

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