"Inappropriate Expression... Deeply Reflecting"
Professor Seokyeongdeok from 'Korea Alimi', 'Lunar New Year' Campaign
Chinese Netizens Launch Indiscriminate Attacks on Professor Seo's SNS
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Danielle, a member of the girl group NewJeans, recently issued a public apology for referring to the Lunar New Year holiday as the "Chinese New Year" on a communication app.
NewJeans member Daniel. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 21st, Danielle posted on NewJeans' official Instagram, "I realized my mistake and deleted it immediately, but the message had already been delivered to many people, and it became irreversible." She apologized, saying, "Since the Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated by several countries and regions, including our own, my expression was inappropriate, and I deeply reflect on this." She continued, "I sincerely apologize to Bunnies and many others who may have been disappointed or hurt by this. I will not forget this incident and will strive to act and express myself more carefully in the future."
Earlier, on the 19th, Danielle sparked controversy when it was revealed that she asked Bunnies (NewJeans fans) in English on the communication app 'Poning,' "What r u bunnies doing for Chinese new year?" She is known to be a dual citizen of Korea and Australia, born to an Australian father and a Korean mother.
Meanwhile, another NewJeans member, Hanni (Vietnamese nationality), greeted fans by saying, "Right Lunar new year is this week," using the term Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated by various Asian countries
Recently, Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University, known as a 'Korea promoter,' launched a campaign to use 'Lunar New Year' instead of 'Chinese New Year.'
On the 19th, Professor Seo pointed out on his social media (SNS), "It is regrettable that even on stamps officially issued by the international organization UN, and by global companies such as Apple and Nike, the Lunar New Year is labeled as 'Chinese New Year.'" He added, "'Lunar New Year' is not a holiday exclusive to China but is celebrated by various Asian countries such as Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines, so it is correct to change it to 'Lunar New Year.' It is essential to correct the misconception that this common Asian culture is solely Chinese culture being introduced worldwide."
Chinese netizens who refuse to acknowledge this have flooded Professor Seo's SNS with indiscriminate attacks through comments and direct messages (DMs). According to Professor Seo, Chinese people have made remarks such as "Korea steals even Chinese New Year," "Seollal was invented by Chinese," and "Koreans should die."
Mocking comments left by Chinese netizens on Professor Seokyeongdeok's SNS post. [Photo by Yonhap News]
'Chinese New Year' Chun Jie is completely different from Seollal
Professor Seo pointed out that the Chinese Lunar New Year, called 'Chun Jie (春節),' and Seollal have different origins and meanings. He explained that in China, the Lunar New Year is called 'Chun Jie,' which is translated into English as 'Spring Festival,' and "Chun Jie is a completely different holiday from Seollal in terms of origin and meaning."
He also said, "'Chun Jie,' which originated from a festival where sacrifices were made to the heavens during the ancient times, had its date frequently changed whenever dynasties were replaced, but it was fixed to the first day of the lunar calendar during the Han Dynasty about 2,000 years ago." He added, "It is necessary to correct the distorted Sinocentrism and cultural hegemonism of the Chinese that present this common Asian culture as solely Chinese culture to the world."
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