British influencer and YouTuber Oli London has issued a public apology to BTS star Park Ji-min and the Asian neighborhood for present process dozens of surgeries to appear like the Korean pop idol.
London has come underneath hearth for feedback figuring out as Korean and transracial, that means figuring out with a race completely different than one among organic ancestry.
London stated they’ve undergone 32 surgeries, together with six nostril jobs, eye surgical procedure, and a brow elevate, in what was described in one video as a bid to “achieve my Jimin look.”
In a YouTube video uploaded Monday, London apologized for the surgeries and for “trying to become another person.”
“It was wrong of me to try to emulate Jimin in such an obsessive way,” London stated. “I realize now that it wasn’t the right thing to do.”
London defined that they have been bullied as a youngster at school and felt lonely and unloved, which affected their shallowness and created id points.
“That has been a big factor in me having surgery, me being unhappy, me also funneling my love into Jimin,” London stated. “I really tried to model myself on that person because I thought that would make me happy.”
London defined that they just lately bought married, which helped them “grow as a person.”
“I can’t be another person. I just need to love myself. I’ve started to really love myself,” they stated.
London issued a public apology to the singer and to “any member of the Asian community that has ever misunderstood me or misinterpreted me or thought maybe I was a little bit too obsessed with Jimin.”
London stated they nonetheless determine as Korean, including, “that’s never going to change.”
London introduced that they determine as Korean in a video uploaded in June 2021.
“I am coming out as non-binary … my pronouns are they/them, Korean and Jimin. I know a lot of people don’t understand me but I do identify as Korean … I don’t identify as British,” London stated.
In an announcement shared with NBC News, London stated they’ve confronted ongoing bullying for how they determine.
“Since I shared my story with the world the bullying has only gotten worse and the level of abuse I receive on a daily basis for my identity as a Korean person is beyond horrifying and traumatic,” London stated.
“I never meant to cause any offense with my actions and I am sorry if anyone misinterpreted or misunderstood my strong love for Korea and Korean culture,” London added.
London ended the Monday video saying: “I do struggle with identity issues … but I’m conquering these demons. I’m working hard. It’s not easy but I’m trying my best.”
London has been very open about their love for Korea on social media, the place they’ve greater than 63,000 subscribers on YouTube and a million on TikTok, posting about Ok-pop stars, creating their very own music with references to Korean tradition and documenting surgeries to change their look.
London tweeted Jan. 13, “Omg it’s my birthday tomorrow. I hope I become more Korean for my birthday.”
In a video uploaded in September 2021, London stated they underwent a revision rhinoplasty and nipple surgical procedure, including the caption, “I have finally achieved my Jimin look and I feel 100% Korean finally.”