'Squid Game' Green Tracksuit Original Controversy
'Squid Game' Illegally Distributed on 60 Chinese Sites... Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Actively Responding"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The conflict between Korean and Chinese netizens has intensified over the green tracksuits featured in the Netflix original series 'Squid Game.' China claims that they are the originators of these tracksuits and has raised criticism against Korea. They argue that a famous Chinese actor wore the green tracksuit before 'Squid Game' aired, back in 2019.
Citizens have responded with disbelief to China's claims. This is because China has previously made unfounded assertions, claiming representative Korean cultures such as Kimchi and Hanbok as their own. Meanwhile, as 'Squid Game' is reportedly being distributed illegally in China, where Netflix is not officially available, public anger is growing stronger.
The controversy over the origin of the 'Squid Game' tracksuits began with a challenge raised by Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women's University. On the 5th, he pointed out the unauthorized use of copyrights by Chinese online shopping malls through his social media accounts.
He criticized, "Illegal downloads of 'Squid Game' are rampant in China, and shopping apps are even inserting the Chinese character for 'China' on the green tracksuits made famous by the drama, using photos of Lee Jung-jae to sell them."
However, Chinese state-run media such as Global Times and Guancha.cn immediately rebutted Professor Seo's claims. They stated that the tracksuit photo he raised was a scene from the 2019 Chinese film 'Teacher, I Like You.' In the film, actress Wu Jing appears wearing a retro-style green tracksuit with the Chinese character for 'China' embroidered on it.
Tracksuit worn by actor Wu Jing and the 'Squid Game' tracksuit being sold through a Chinese online shopping mall. Photo by Seokyungdeok, Professor at Sungshin Women's University, Facebook screenshot.
Chinese media argued that Wu Jing wore the green tracksuit before 'Squid Game' and criticized Korea for picking a fight with China. Chinese netizens responded with comments such as "Korea should stop making baseless claims," "Korea has an inferiority complex toward China," and "Wu Jing wore it first in 2019, so naturally, we are the originators." As the controversy grew, Professor Seo deleted the post.
Domestic netizens reacted with disbelief to the criticisms from Chinese netizens. They commented, "Since when did the green tracksuit become China's? The very act of having this debate is absurd and meaningless," "The character wearing the green tracksuit does not only appear in Chinese films. In Korea, Kim Soo-hyun wore it in the 2013 film 'Secretly, Greatly,'" and "After Kimchi and Hanbok, now it's the tracksuit? This is ridiculous."
This is not the first time China has made unfounded claims about Korean content. Previously, when the Joseon-era gat (traditional hat) featured in the Netflix original drama 'Kingdom' gained global attention, Chinese netizens claimed "the gat is Chinese," sparking controversy. They also accused the SBS historical drama 'Lovers of the Red Sky' of plagiarizing Chinese culture in its Hanbok, props, and computer graphics (CG). Additionally, China has claimed that traditional Korean foods like Kimchi and Samgyetang originated in China.
Given this situation, anti-China sentiment is rising in Korea. A 20-something office worker named Oh said, "It's absurd that whenever our country's content succeeds, China claims it as their own. Especially with 'Kingdom,' they had no interest in the gat before, but once it became globally popular, they suddenly say it's theirs. It's shameless."
Relatedly, in March, the SBS drama 'Joseon Exorcist' was canceled after only two episodes due to controversies over historical distortion and excessive use of Chinese-style props.
Chinese netizens have claimed that the SBS historical drama 'Hong Cheon Gi' plagiarizes Chinese culture, sparking controversy. Photo by SBS.
Meanwhile, as 'Squid Game' gains popularity in China despite Netflix not being officially available there, the issue of illegal downloads by Chinese netizens has also surfaced.
In particular, Jang Ha-sung, the Korean ambassador to China, stated during a video conference for the National Assembly's inspection of the embassy on the 6th, "We are monitoring the illegal distribution of cultural content," adding, "Regarding 'Squid Game,' which is currently popular worldwide, we have identified illegal distribution on over 60 Chinese websites."
Since the implementation of the 'Hallyu ban' (Hanhanryeong, restrictions on Korean Wave), China has prohibited the distribution of new Korean films and dramas, and Netflix is not legally supported in the country. However, recent works like 'Squid Game' with Chinese subtitles continue to appear on illegal sites.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is actively responding by raising the issue with Chinese authorities. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Choi Young-sam said at a regular briefing on the 7th, "Our overseas missions, related ministries, and relevant agencies are collaborating with local authorities to monitor copyright infringement information, receive infringement reports, and support infringement response activities for our companies."
He added, "We plan to strengthen activities to prevent copyright infringement of our cultural content as much as possible and to respond promptly to any infringements that occur through close cooperation with related ministries such as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism."
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