Hollywood: Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Academy Awards

Article: Academy, "Violence is not accepted" Chris Rock refuses to press charges

Source: Asia Economy via Naver

1. [+4,177, -529] Violence is acceptable if someone is messing with your family

2. [+3,795, -504] 99% of America thinks Will Smith was in the wrong for that but I think Koreans are misunderstanding the situation and thinking his violence was justifiable because he was defending his family. If you watch the full version, Chris Rock did not tell his joke in a way that was deserving of such violence. Will Smith even initially laughed along when he heard it until he noticed his wife was upset. Then he went up to go hit him. It was such an odd situation, almost as if she was controlling him to act like that. It's like he's being brainwashed by her, especially with the way he's said he'd be okay if his wife cheated on him with their son's friend or whatever.

3. [+1,859, -86] There comes a time in life when someone disrespects you so badly that you feel an urge to not only hit them but hurt them. However, violence even in such cases cannot be forgiven and accepted because it will just cause more disorder in society. Violence can never be justified, no matter how wronged you were. Let morality be the judge of that. Will Smith should be legally prosecuted for his use of violence.

4. [+1,463, -57] Will Smith was laughing along until he noticed his wife was upset, and only then did he get up to hit him... Sure, I can understand being upset.. but.. to get up on stage, on a public stage like the Oscars, and hitting someone in the face? I have never in my life seen something like this... Rage should never be expressed in such a way. I'm actually disgusted by the Korean comments justifying his act of violence at all.

5. [+207, -1] Chris was inconsiderate of Will and his wife, and Will was inconsiderate of the ceremony and its viewers

6. [+203, -6] I think people would be reacting very differently if Will Smith had chosen instead to express his sadness over his speech at having his family and their illness be made fun of as a joke. Chris Rock may as well have been canceled at that point too. The way he went about handling this was not right.

7. [+128, -4] I'm a fan of Will Smith but to see such an actor of his status act in such a way is indeed problematic. I know some people think it was refreshing what he did but to act like that in front of a world audience was wrong. He should've acted more reasonably.

8. [+100, -4] Never in my life did I think I'd see someone slap someone on stage at the Academy awards ㅋ

9. [+66, -1] You have to admit that he's got special perks for being a celebrity with the fact that he hasn't been arrested already after assaulting someone like that

10. [+65, -0] The joke was a bit out of line but violence can never be justified

11. [+70, -7] Acting violently should never be excused no matter the context. He could've just countered the joke with something else but instead chose to act violently on a stage being watched worldwide.

12. [+63, -2] Well, the majority of Americans are saying Chris is the bigger person and a lot of the hate is being directed towards Will Smith

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