The Korean media has been flooded with reports of 2PM member Taecyeon's exemplary new role as a masters student, but that might not be the whole truth.
Taking on a new challenging endeavor,
Ok Taecyeon
enrolled in Korea University's International Studies program earlier
this year. When he announced his academic pursuits he explained, "I
might not be a scholar, but it is something I want to try."
Taecyeon also said that he wanted to use his fame to work
internationally for a good cause. "I'm going to work hard so that I can
become an ambassador of peace," he said in an interview back in
February of this year.
However, a little investigative journalism has uncovered the truth
behind Taecyeon's masters studies, or rather, lack of studies.
A reporter for
Kuki News revealed that the idol singer skipped every class during his first semester of school.
With the class attendance roster and testimony from classmates as
evidence, it seems that Taecyeon's busy schedule as an entertainer has
gotten in the way of his studies.
One International Studies student shares five of the same courses as
the 2PM singer, and claimed to not have seen him once since the
beginning of the semester.
According to the School of International Studies at Korea University,
"By school rules, a student gets an 'F' if he is absent more than one
sixth of the classes. However, there is a option where the professor
can give his own opinions for the grade."
Taecyeon's classmates have considerable doubts that he did any of the coursework or exams, but that is merely speculation.
Although, the university did say, "Even though Taecyeon registered,
he missed his classes, so he probably hasn't received grades. It is
difficult for him to expect grades if he's not coming to any classes."
Reaction to this report has been relatively mixed. While some
netizens have scolded the entertainer for being hypocritical and lacking
dedication, others have argued his work schedule does not easily allow
for regular class times.
A look at the attendance sheet for one of Taecyeon's classes shows
that while he was marked absent for the first half of the semester,
halfway through, the professor stopped making any sort of markings
whatsoever.
The
Kuki News article suggests the professor gave up on the
idol student, but other reports suggest Taecyeon made a private
arrangement with the school to do his studies at a time that is better
suited for his busy public life.
Most of the criticism, however, has not been directed at the singer
per se, but rather at the media in general, who had previously reported
without evidence that Taecyeon had been regularly attending classes and
was doing well in school.
Fans will have a better understanding of the issue when Taecyeon and his agency
JYP Entertainment make an official statement regarding the report and offer their side of the story.
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