Latest news with #Ismael
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
‘Johnny Somali' trial raises the question: How should Korea handle 'nuisance influencers'?
Calls grow for stern response to foreign creators who come to mock and harass As he arrived for his second trial hearing at the Seoul Western District Court on May 16, American YouTuber 'Johnny Somali' briefly turned to reporters, smiling and sticking out his tongue. The 24-year-old streamer, whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, has been barred from leaving South Korea and is being tried on three charges, including obstruction of business and violations of minor public order laws. Ismael represents a new kind of content creator — one that South Korea is confronting for the first time as the country increasingly attracts YouTube-driven tourism and attention-seeking influencers. Nuisance influencers, as CNN called them, deliberately stir up trouble in public to generate views and online visibility. Trouble for clicks Ismael arrived in South Korea around October last year. His disruptive behavior here, including playing loud music and obscene videos in public and livestreaming himself vandalizing a convenience store, quickly drew attention online. However, the act that sparked the most public outrage occurred on Oct. 9. On that day, he uploaded a video of himself kissing the Statue of Peace in Itaewon, central Seoul, and performing a lewd dance in front of it. The statue commemorates the victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery during World War II — a painful and enduring wound in Korea's collective memory, stemming from the country's colonialization by Japan from 1910 to 1945. He appeared to have discovered one of the most potent triggers of public outrage in South Korea: the nation's historical trauma with Japan. In another video, he held up the 'Rising Sun' flag — a symbol widely associated with Japanese imperialism — and referred to Dokdo, a group of rocky islets in South Korea's easternmost waters that are at the center of a territorial dispute with Japan, calling them 'Takeshima,' the name used by Japan to assert sovereignty over the area. While these incidents brought him nationwide attention, it was his actions at the Lotte World amusement park, a convenience store, and on public transportation — including subways and buses — that led to criminal charges of business obstruction and violations of public order laws. He is also accused of producing and distributing a deepfake video in which the face of a Korean female streamer was digitally manipulated onto footage that appeared to show her kissing him. Just as Ismael's trial began in March, South Korea saw the emergence of another YouTuber with a similar approach. American YouTuber 'Ice Poseidon' came under fire that same month for a livestream in Busan where he and his companions shouted in public, kicked trash and mocked Korean food, saying, 'Kimchi is disgusting.' While riding in a taxi, he also spoke Korean in an exaggerated, mocking tone, seemingly to ridicule the elderly driver. How to respond? As public frustration grows over disruptive foreign content creators in South Korea, online users are calling for a boycott of controversial streamers whose offensive behavior appears to be rewarded with attention — and ad revenue. 'Many people keep watching, commenting, and even subscribing while criticizing them. But that attention is exactly what feeds YouTubers like Somali,' one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 'People should stop giving them any attention, and immigration authorities should prevent them from entering Korea.' As of May 28, Ice Poseidon, the streamer who sparked outrage in Busan, had 695,000 subscribers on YouTube. Johnny Somali's YouTube channel has been suspended, making it difficult to determine his current following. At the same time, South Koreans are calling for the authorities to respond sternly in Ismael's case to establish a precedent for dealing with similar incidents in the future. While Ismael was eventually prosecuted, though without physical detention, some people say the initial response from South Korean law enforcement was too lenient, allowing him to persist in harassing locals and disturbing public order. 'I hope a fair and firm ruling is delivered in Johnny Somali's case to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future,' said Seo Kyoung-duk, a liberal arts professor at Sungshin Women's University known for his efforts to promote Korean culture abroad. 'A strong punishment should be imposed to set an example,' he wrote on Facebook. In response to an inquiry from The Korea Herald, an official from the Korea Immigration Service reiterated the general principle that, under Article 46 of the Immigration Control Act, a foreign national may be subject to deportation if their actions are deemed harmful to national interests or public safety. 'A comprehensive review of specific facts, including whether any laws were violated, is necessary before making a determination,' the official added. Ismael's third trial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 13. If convicted and sentenced to prison, he would have to serve his term in a local prison. Separately, immigration authorities could review whether to impose a deportation order and a reentry ban, according to legal experts.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Inter jerseys fly off shelves in Marseille before PSG's Champions League final
PARIS (Reuters) -In Marseille, the only French city with a European Cup to its name, an unexpected fashion trend has emerged - Inter Milan jerseys are flying off the shelves as Olympique de Marseille supporters back the Italian side against their bitter rivals Paris St Germain in Saturday's Champions League final. Inter shirts have been selling fast in the port city, which celebrated OM's Champions League triumph in 1993. "It's crazy, everyone wants the Inter jersey. All year long, there's no demand, nobody wants this jersey. And now, it's like the whole city of Marseille has turned Interista. We're really going to pray for Inter to win," Ismael, a vendor at a major sports shop in Marseille, told French TV channel BFM. The son of former OM president Bernard Tapie, who led the club to the 1993 title, said he would support Inter as well. "A true OM supporter can't be happy if PSG wins the Champions League. For France, it would be good for PSG to win it. But me, I'm supporting Inter Milan. Ask any real OM fan — we're all fully behind Inter," Laurent Tapie was quoted as saying by French media. In 2020, OM fans celebrated at the Old Port when PSG lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. French clubs have played in seven European Cup finals, losing six of them between Stade de Reims (2), PSG, St Etienne, Monaco and Marseille. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ed Osmond)
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Inter jerseys fly off shelves in Marseille before PSG's Champions League final
PARIS - In Marseille, the only French city with a European Cup to its name, an unexpected fashion trend has emerged - Inter Milan jerseys are flying off the shelves as Olympique de Marseille supporters back the Italian side against their bitter rivals Paris St Germain in Saturday's Champions League final. Inter shirts have been selling fast in the port city, which celebrated OM's Champions League triumph in 1993. "It's crazy, everyone wants the Inter jersey. All year long, there's no demand, nobody wants this jersey. And now, it's like the whole city of Marseille has turned Interista. We're really going to pray for Inter to win," Ismael, a vendor at a major sports shop in Marseille, told French TV channel BFM. The son of former OM president Bernard Tapie, who led the club to the 1993 title, said he would support Inter as well. "A true OM supporter can't be happy if PSG wins the Champions League. For France, it would be good for PSG to win it. But me, I'm supporting Inter Milan. Ask any real OM fan — we're all fully behind Inter," Laurent Tapie was quoted as saying by French media. In 2020, OM fans celebrated at the Old Port when PSG lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. French clubs have played in seven European Cup finals, losing six of them between Stade de Reims (2), PSG, St Etienne, Monaco and Marseille. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
TDAP hosts seminar on export potential of Balochistan's handicrafts
QUETTA: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), in collaboration with the Quetta Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI) and Taraqee Foundation, organised a seminar titled 'Export Potential of Local Handicrafts of Balochistan' at QCCI Hall. Focused on empowering women entrepreneurs, the event highlighted export opportunities in the handicraft sector. As part of its ongoing efforts to promote trade from underserved regions, TDAP has already conducted seven awareness sessions for women and supported their participation in key trade platforms like WEXNET, offering 100% subsidized participation. This seminar marked TDAP's third sector-specific event aimed at building export readiness in Balochistan. Based on the above theme, Zain ul Abideen from TDAP shared insights on export procedures, market trends, and opportunities through events like TEXPO and OIC Trade Fairs. Ismael of Taraqee Foundation addressed key challenges artisans face and proposed strategies to overcome them. Concluding remarks were given by Fouzia Kasi, who emphasized stronger institutional support and dedicated facilitation for women-led enterprises. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Cantwell reckons Rovers can kick on next season under Ismael
Rovers playmaker Todd Cantwell reckons he can thrive under Valerien Ismael in the Championship next season. Ismael's men had a strong finish to the campaign, winning four of their final five matches as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs. The head coach initially had a tough start in the hot seat as the Rovers squad adapted to his style of play, failing to win any of his opening six games and losing five on the bounce. But the Sheffield Wednesday comeback, in which Cantwell provided a couple of assists, proved to be a turning point. Rovers have tended to enjoy more possession since Ismael took charge and that suits the midfielder down to a tee. But Cantwell insists that the squad have shown they can do both sides of the game under the new boss and is confident it will serve them well next season. 'I think it is obvious I'm the type of player who wants and needs to be on the ball more than I have been at times this season,' he admitted. 'We have played for moments at times and I don't think I'm a moment player. 'I think I'm more of a rhythm (player) and I would say a player who needs to be on the ball to create and to feel confident to make that final pass. 'But at the moment, the last four or five games have definitely shown exactly what sort of team we will be moving forward. 'It makes us a really difficult team to play against because I think we are a team that can do both.' The 27-year-old ended his first campaign at Ewood Park with three goals and seven assists in 27 league starts. Questions have been asked about Cantwell's role out of possession at times, particularly when the team were struggling to get points on the board. However, the former Norwich man proved during the final weeks of the campaign that he can be effective in Ismael's system. Cantwell says he has learnt this season that it is important to stay consistent and not get carried away with the highs or lows. 'I think as a luxury player or as a player who maybe can create something that other players can't, you are always first to be attacked when things aren't being created,' he added. 'The good moments come now where everyone says, 'You are playing great and things are good'. 'A lot of people see very much past the small details as to why those performances are not clicking together. 'This season has been important for me because I think I am still growing mentally and physically to know that you have got to balance yourself out. 'You've got to enjoy the good moments but also remember that you will be the problem when it's not happening. 'Not to get too high and not to get too low and to ride the wave, but also perform at a certain level that keeps you clear of that as well.'
