How does Haoren justify his use of brownface in the music video?

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Haoren Justifies Brownface by Citing Misunderstanding and Plot Intentions

Malaysian singer Haoren has apologised for the brownface depicted in his music video "White Doll," attributing the controversy to "misunderstandings" and asserting that the artistic intent behind the storyline was overlooked. He explained that the video aimed to portray a narrative where a schoolgirl's darkened skin, a result of daily sun exposure, led to bullying, with the bullying ceasing only after she used a skin-whitening product. Haoren, who played a secret admirer in the video, stated that his intention was to explore themes of unconditional love despite physical changes, not to stir racial issues.
Explanation of the Music Video's Plot

The "White Doll" music video depicted a schoolgirl whose complexion darkened after daily walks to school. The narrative showed her experiencing taunts from classmates, with the bullying subsiding only after she applied a skin-whitening product. Haoren's character acted as a secret admirer who provided the girl with gifts, including the skin-whitening product, as part of this storyline.
Questioning the Appropriateness of Tanned Makeup

Haoren questioned the perception of inappropriateness regarding a fair-skinned model darkening her entire body with makeup. He specifically referenced Malaysia's strong sunlight, posing whether it was truly unsuitable to use tanned makeup on an actor to depict a sunburnt character within the context of the plot. He highlighted that the plot concluded with the male lead's love remaining constant for the girl with sunburnt skin.
Emphasis on Original Intentions and Re-editing Plans

The singer contended that the public was "ignoring" his original intentions behind the music video's storyline, reiterating that he never intended to provoke racial discussions. Haoren assured that the female lead's appearance at the beginning and end of the video remained consistent with sunburnt skin, and the male lead's affection for her did not waver. He announced plans to re-edit the music video to remove any offensive content before reposting it online.

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How does Haoren justify his use of brownface in the music video?

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