South Korean DJ 'monk' NewJeansNim faces calls to cancel Singapore show

The Singapore Buddhist Federation, one of the most prominent Buddhist organisations in Singapore, has called for the cancellation of an upcoming performance by South Korean DJ NewJeansNim – a rising entertainer who performs while wearing a monk's robe and incorporates Buddhist mantras into his set.

NewJeansNim, who is not affiliated with the popular K-pop group NewJeans, is currently scheduled to perform his first show in Singapore at Club Rich on Jun 19.

In a Facebook post on Sunday (May 19), the Singapore Buddhist Federation wrote: "NewJeansNim is not a monk who should not put on monk's robe to perform, which is against (the) Vinaya [the code of conduct for Buddhist monks]. Hopefully, relevant authorities (are) able to reject the permits for (his) performance so (as) to avoid bringing embarrassment to Buddhists."

NewJeansNim previously faced backlash for his performances in Malaysia from Venerable Jue Cheng, the chief abbess of Fo Guang Shan in Singapore and Malaysia, as well as Wee Ka Siong, the president of the Malaysian Chinese Association.

Wee said: "His controversial acts have hurt the feelings of the Buddhist community, which will celebrate Vesak Day...I appeal to the home affairs minister to instruct the immigration department, the police and the Puspal secretariat to prevent the entry of the DJ into Malaysia in order to respect the sanctity of Buddhism and preserve religious harmony in Malaysia."

Following the controversy, NewJeansNim's remaining shows in Malaysia were cancelled.

NewJeansNim, whose real name is Yoon Seong-ho, has experienced a steady rise in popularity in South Korea in recent months. South Korea's largest English-language newspaper The Korea Herald reported that The Jogye Order, South Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, has employed NewJeansNim as part of its outreach efforts.

In a meeting with NewJeansNim, the president of The Jogye Order Venerable Jin-woo said: "I am thankful for the work you have done in spreading a much younger Buddhism to the young generation."

In that same meeting, Venerable Jin-woo also presented NewJeansNim with prayer beads and a headset.

In a statement to the press on May 21, the Singapore Police Force said: "The Police are aware of a planned public entertainment performance involving an artiste who incorporates religious elements into his act. According to the Public Entertainment Licence conditions, the licensee must ensure that the public entertainment provided at their premise is not likely to be offensive to any race, religion, ethnicity or nationality or potentially cause disharmony amongst different groups. Given the nature of the planned performance, the act may be in violation of this condition.

"The Police have engaged the licensee and stakeholder of the public entertainment outlet to advise them to adhere to the conditions of the public entertainment licence. The licensee and stakeholder acknowledged the Police’s advisory and informed that they will ensure that the performance adheres to the licencing conditions, including ensuring that the performance will not involve any elements associated with religion, be it in the attire, hand gestures, artefacts, songs and lyrics. The Police are committed to ensuring strict adherence to licencing conditions, and any breaches will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law. Operators found to be in breach of the licencing conditions may have their licences revoked."