it is definitely cultural appropriation, but black ppl have had their culture stripped and drained (especially in this day and age...) from them by everyone around us that most ppl won't see it as such. im usually not offended and laugh it off, bc it's corny and looks stupid on non-black people but im not gonna make fun of or disregard the many black ppl that are hurt by it. i think non-black ppl should stay in their lane regarding these conversation regardless of what their opinion is, bc often times, they just speak over black ppl. there's a lot of culture and attention surrounding black hair that non-black people just dont and probably wont understand completely, and that's okay!

honestly, what makes it an offense for me is when non-black ppl treat it as only a trend and dreads / locs only ever being used in kpop mvs when the member is supposed to look "hard" or like a "gangster", perpetrating the harmful stereotypes that are connected to our hair. these stereotypes are why it's hard for black ppl who are natural to find work or have hurtful ideas placed onto them. and its even worse bc blackface is still a prominent thing in skr.

but im so used to this in kpop, i just make jokes about the member and move on.

I feel like, a torn emotion. Like yes, dreads or locs are not deemed as acceptable in work places and other public areas and often the hairstyle is followed by rude comments of untidiness or smelling bad or weird and it's usually targeted at our people since we are the ones who usually sport the style. Those who wear it for "fashion" are never criticized and I find that really hypocritical! People outside of the community really don't understand the tradition, values or the journey regarding locs so the comments will never, ever stop so sometimes it can be sort of "off putting" to see a different race rock them just for style. Then you do see some non-Black POCs rock them but have done the necessary research and is wearing them for their *own* journey and not just for a style. I don't necessarily have a problem with some of those who wear it because they truly want them and understand the value behind them but I cannot speak for every other black person. I however, do not appreciate it for just a photoshoot, a MV or because "it looks cool". I think that's where it becomes definitely controversial and offensive even i.e. Kai or Jackson sporting them for a MV/shoot and then when someone tried to make Jackson understand, he brushed it aside like people were making a "big deal over nothing". It's really a thin line though. What if said person is only "half-black", does that make the person less able to lock their beautiful tresses? Is it offensive since only "half" of it is acceptable for that person but the other half may not appreciate the culture?

This is just my torn emotions on it, others will definitely feel different, of course.