"Surprised by Sudden Unfollow"... Controversy Arises Again Over 'Japanese Children's Song Contest' Participant Nonoka's SNS Suspension News

Nonoka, who won the silver prize at a children's song contest in Japan [Image source = Nonoka official Instagram]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Murakata Nonoka, who gained attention in Korea for her cute expressions and excellent sense of rhythm as the 'Silver Prize Winner of the Japanese Children's Song Contest,' has ultimately suspended her Korean Instagram account.

On the 22nd, a post appeared on Nonoka's official Instagram stating, "Nonoka's parents seem to no longer wish to operate the official Korean account due to the agency (related to portrait rights). They also unfollowed my account first."

The manager said, "I was taken aback by the sudden notice and seriously contemplated for several days. However, I could not wait any longer and decided to inform you first," adding, "All news, inquiries, photos, and videos related to Nonoka will be delivered through Nonoka's father's Instagram or her Japanese agency."

They continued, "As the manager of Nonoka's official Korean fan account, I operated the 'official fan account' with the permission of Nonoka's mother and received photos directly from her parents, adding watermarks before posting," expressing regret, "I have been editing translations of YouTube videos and connecting with broadcasters. However, I agree to follow the agency's policies as long as the agency exists."

Finally, the manager wrote, "It is very heavy on my heart to say this," and added, "The account will cease operation in a week. Thank you for loving Nonoka through this account until now."

Domestic netizens' reactions to Nonoka [Image source = Portal site capture]

Netizens who heard the news expressed disappointment, saying, "What on earth happened? Is it because of recent malicious comment controversies?", "She must have had a hard time emotionally," and "They went too far with an innocent child."

Meanwhile, many voices also criticized, "She was the one managing Nonoka's Korean schedule while posting photos, but they unfollowed without a word," and "Whether due to anti-Japanese sentiment or the agency, the parents' behavior of cutting off contact and unfollowing the Korean manager is not right."

The sudden suspension of the Instagram account drew renewed attention despite the intense interest Nonoka had received so far.

Born in May 2018 and nearly 3 years old, Nonoka gained fame in Korea as her children's song contest videos became popular online. As her popularity rose domestically, an official social media account for Korean fans was launched on the 11th.

However, Nonoka's side has expressed difficulties in communication and suffering from excessive malicious comments.

On the 17th, they announced, "We are receiving very unpleasant rumors and hard-to-express malicious direct messages (DMs)," and stated, "We will take legal action against malicious comments." On the 13th, a video of Nonoka eating udon was posted with the caption, "Is there udon in Korea?" which sparked malicious comments accusing her of "disrespecting Korea." Nonoka's father explained, "It was a question about what kind of udon exists in Korea," but the controversy did not easily subside.

Some netizens publicly expressed unfavorable reactions, saying, "There are cute children in Korea too, so why consume Japanese children's content?" and "A Japanese child using Korea."