Following racist backlash from The Acolyte, star Lee Jung-jae has chosen to remain positive, instead focusing on his hopes for the Star Wars fandom’s future. This past summer, The Acolyte became the center of controversy like the Star Wars fandom had never seen before, from review-bombing before The Acolyte‘s premiere to lore arguments that even led to a massive Wookieepedia scandal. Much of this controversial backlash was rooted in racism, particularly due to The Acolyte‘s diverse cast of characters. Unfortunately, this kind of backlash is nothing new for Star Wars, but Master Sol actor Jung-jae is still choosing hope.

While speaking to Vanity Fair, Jung-jae was honest about how the backlash made him feel, sharing that “My feelings were hurt. Especially for [The Acolyte showrunner] Leslye Headland—her feelings must have hurt a lot.” This is not only because of the backlash itself, but also because The Acolyte was ultimately canceled by Star Wars one month after its finale aired. While Jung-jae was “shocked” by the backlash, he still chose to remain positive, keeping his hope for a future that’s much better than the present.

Jung-jae insisted that “I can only have faith that racism will end someday, even though it’s going to be hard.” This positivity that Jung-jae displayed didn’t only apply to the racist backlash, however. He also expressed his hopes for The Acolyte‘s reception to change over time, reminding audiences that “it takes time to gain traction, and I have strong hopes that people will like it as time passes.” Given how the reception of the Star Wars prequel trilogy has changed vastly over the last two decades, Jung-jae’s hopes are more likely than some may think.

What Lee Jung-jae’s Positive Outlook Means For Star Wars

Will The Fandom Ever Truly Change?

Jung-jae’s outlook is certainly a refreshing one, although it’s very bittersweet in a way – because it’s not something that Jung-jae nor any of his co-stars should ever have to deal with. Racist backlash is nothing new in the Star Wars fandom, dating back many years and rising in prevalence during the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and sadly, The Acolyte‘s backlash was proof that it’s still quite a big problem. Jung-jae’s outlook, however, builds upon the very foundation of Star Wars itself: hope. His hope for a brighter future for the fandom means it’s not yet utterly lost.

The Star Wars Fandom Needs To Change – But Will It?

Only The Fandom Itself Can Change Its Own Negative Reputation

It’s so unfortunate that the Star Wars fandom continues these behaviors that have given themselves one of the most negative reputations in fandom culture as a whole. It’s clear that the fandom needs to change, but the question is whether that change will actually come to pass or not. Jung-jae’s positivity is refreshing and certainly hopeful, but those feelings need to be turned into action. John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Moses Ingram, and the entire cast of The Acolyte deserve so much better than what they’ve gotten: inaction in the face of racist backlash.

It’s up to the fandom now to correct these behaviors. The divide within the Star Wars fandom during The Acolyte proves that there are many who are willing to try, but it will truly take even more than that. Hopefully, The Acolyte and its backlash will prove to be a crucial starting point for this kind of conversation, and Jung-jaes hopes about the fandom will one day come to pass.