[Edaily Starin Gim Ga Yeong Reporter] Actor Lim Ho, who serves as president of the Baejae High School Alumni Association, has apologized for the controversy surrounding his juniors’ derogatory cheers targeting a specific region.

In an apology published in the Mudeung Ilbo on the 6th, Lim Ho stated, “I bow my head and sincerely apologize for causing deep hurt due to the inappropriate cheering displayed by the Baejae High School baseball team students,” adding, “The students’ actions were clearly wrong, and I deeply recognize that the school and senior alumni also share responsibility for failing to prevent this wrongdoing and instill proper values.”
Im Ho serves as the president of the Baejae High School Alumni Association. He published this apology on behalf of the association.
He continued, “The school is not only issuing a prompt apology but is also preparing an educational program to prevent a recurrence, which will be implemented immediately after the current midterm exams conclude,” and added, “We are sincerely grateful that you have graciously accepted our apology.”
Lim Ho emphasized, “We will not dismiss this incident as a mere mistake or a one-time lapse; instead, we will treat it as an opportunity for thorough reflection and self-examination. We will spare no effort in providing ongoing support so that students can cultivate a spirit of respect for others and a sense of community, and grow into Baejae alumni equipped with proper sportsmanship and character.” He added, “As adult alumni, we deeply acknowledge our responsibility and are committed to changing our ways. Together with the school, we will fulfill our responsibilities to the very end to ensure that such an incident never happens again.”
On the 29th of last month, during the 81st Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Tournament held at Mokdong Stadium in Seoul, some Baejae High School players sparked controversy by dancing to their cheer song and chanting “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go to Starbucks” and “Tank Day” during a game against Gwangju Jeil High School. Previously, Starbucks had been embroiled in controversy for mocking the May 18 Democratization Movement after running a promotional campaign titled “May 18 Tank Day” on the anniversary of the movement, which even led to a boycott campaign. Amid this situation, criticism of Baejae High School intensified once it became known that the students had chanted cheers mentioning “Starbucks.”
As the controversy spread, 86 people—including members of Baejae High School’s baseball team, parents, coaches, faculty, and officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education—visited Gwangju Il High School on the 6th to offer an official apology and paid their respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery. Lim Ho-do accompanied them and joined in the apology.