A speech act analysis of apology strategies in K-POP idols' apology letters

Abstract

Written apology statements are used by K-pop idols to address public controversies. However, the linguistic strategies employed in these statements warrant further investigation. This study aims to identify and classify the apology strategies employed in written apology letters issued by selected K-pop idols. This study adopts a descriptive qualitative approach within a pragmatic framework, using Cohen and Olshtain's (1981) classification of apology strategies. The data consist of six Korean-language apology letters written in response to various controversies between 2019 and 2021. The letters were written by Jaehyun (NCT), Yoona (Girls' Generation), Hyunjin (Stray Kids), Irene (Red Velvet), Seungri, and Wonho, and were published on Instagram through personal or official group accounts, as well as on fan community platforms such as Lysn and Daum FanCafe. The findings revealed a total of 36 occurrences of apology strategies based on Cohen and Olshtain's (1981) classification across the six letters analyzed. Direct expressions of apology were the most frequently identified strategy, followed by acknowledgments of responsibility, promises of forbearance, and explanations or accounts. Meanwhile, no instances of offers of repair were identified in the analyzed texts. These findings provide insights into the use of apology strategies in the written apology letters issued by the six K-pop idols examined in this study.