Daniel Padilla Criticized for "Mocking Koreans" at Asia Artist Awards

Actor Daniel Padilla faced criticism for allegedly “mocking Koreans” at the recently concluded Asia Artist Awards.

The Kapamilya star, who attended the event alongside his ex-partner Kathryn Bernardo, received backlash for his actions especially when laughing off after greeting the audience.

Daniel Padilla Featured in koreaboo.com for ‘Mocking Koreans’ at Asia Artist Awards

Daniel Padilla criticized for “mocking Koreans” at AAA

DANIEL PADILLA – The Kapamilya actor was featured in koreaboo.com for allegedly “mocking Koreans” during his speech at the Asia Artist Awards 2023.

The 2023 Asia Artist Awards, held on December 14 in the Philippines, brought together numerous Filipino entertainers, K-Pop idols, and other Asian celebrities. Among the attendees was actor and entertainer Daniel Padilla, known for his role in “The Hows Of Us,” the highest-grossing Filipino film at the time. During the event, Padilla was one of the two recipients of the “Fabulous Award (Television/Film).”

However, controversy arose during his acceptance speech, leading to accusations of him “mocking” Koreans. Daniel commenced his speech in Tagalog, followed by saying “annyeong” and laughing off the microphone. The speech was brief, with Daniel expressing gratitude to the awards program before exiting the stage.

Some netizens interpreted his use of the informal Korean greeting as “mocking,” particularly given his laughter afterward. Others believed he should have conducted research beforehand to ensure the use of the correct greeting. Conversely, some betizens perceived the moment differently, suggesting that Daniel may have been nervous and did not intend any disrespect.

Additionally, supporters of Daniel argued that undue criticism may stem from his personal life. Daniel accepted the award alongside actress Kathryn Bernardo, with whom he was in a relationship from 2012 until their breakup announcement on November 30. Widespread rumors of infidelity have contributed to a negative impression towards the actor.

At the 2023 Asia Artist Awards, Daniel was reportedly booed, and a photo of him was defaced. Netizens pointed to this as a justification for the baseless criticism surrounding his acceptance speech. As of now, Daniel Padilla has not responded to the criticism surrounding his speech.