MC Mong Clarifies 'Hitler Portrait' Controversy: "Please Understand It as Art"

Singer MC Mong has directly addressed the controversy surrounding a portrait of Adolf Hitler displayed in his home, clarifying suspicions of 'Hitler worship.'

On the 11th, MC Mong posted on his social media account, explaining, "This painting is an early work by artist Ok Seung-cheol. The mustache area was depicted using straws instead of brushes to represent human greed, selfishness, and barbarism, feeding off the blood of others."

He added, "Please understand the artwork as art." MC Mong questioned why a piece that has been displayed since the recording studio days and shown in photos multiple times is now causing controversy. He emphasized, "Artworks are sometimes created with the purpose of criticism and defamation, and there are connoisseurs who enjoy them. Worship is not the objective."

MC Mong also criticized those who raised the 'Hitler worship' suspicions, stating, "You write without understanding art, thinking that ignorance is wisdom. Without knowing the artist's intention, your writings cruelly and arbitrarily create an objective and then write." He reiterated, "And I hate Hitler. Very, very, very much. I hate everyone who starts wars."

Furthermore, as past military service evasion suspicions were also resurfaced, MC Mong explained, "Even with posterior cruciate ligament damage, a herniated disc, and a lower back disc, I was eligible for exemption, yet I endured. I state again that, unlike other celebrities, I received a not guilty verdict from the first, second, and supreme courts regarding military service fraud."

Meanwhile, regarding his recent exclusion from work at his former agency One Hundred, MC Mong stated, "I was suffering from severe depression and health deterioration to the point where making music was difficult. I decided to study abroad to find a way to continue making music for a longer period."

Netizens reacted with comments such as, "They're trying to ruin a person over a single painting," "MC Mong's explanation is clear," and "I don't understand why they keep bringing up past controversies." Many showed support for his clarification or expressed sympathy for his situation.