Near Hongdaeipgu and Sadang Flight
"Game Illustrator Accused of Posting Hate Speech" Suspicion
“Do not ignore hate speech; show willingness to improve.”
Users claiming that misogynistic expressions were inserted in the popular online game ‘Genshin Impact’ flew a banner plane carrying protest messages over Seoul.
Netizens from the online community ‘Akarive Genshin Channel’ flew a banner plane at noon on the 21st around Hongdae Entrance Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul, with the phrase “Repent, a company that does not communicate with customers.”
The airship used in a public protest criticizing the developer HoYoverse related to the online game "Genshin Impact" near Hongdae Entrance Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 21st. [Photo by Yonhap News]
The banner plane is an unmanned aerial vehicle measuring 10 meters in length and 3 meters in height, circling the airspace around the Gyeongui Line Book Street near Hongdae Entrance Station.
This incident began at the end of last month when suspicions were raised that misogynistic images were inserted in Nexon MapleStory promotional videos.
According to gamers, a ‘claw hand’ shape was found in many game images and promotional materials, which resembles the symbol of ‘Megalia,’ a past community advocating male hatred and feminism.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a representative of the organizers stated, “We have completed the reporting and approval procedures with related agencies such as the police and the Capital Defense Command,” and “about 2,000 people participated in fundraising for the protest.”
Genshin Impact users claim that Korean illustrator A, who participated in designing some characters in the game, posted hate speech-containing posts on social media in the past.
Through this protest, they demanded an official stance from HoYoverse regarding the allegations of misogynistic and anti-China remarks by the Genshin illustrator.
Also, when HoYoverse closed the chat window during the update introduction broadcast earlier this month, users criticized the management as “non-communicative.”
Regarding the chat window deactivation, a HoYoverse Korea representative said, “We closed the real-time chat window to encourage users to focus on the broadcast itself. We sincerely apologize to users who felt inconvenienced.”
They added, “From now on, the real-time chat window will be reopened normally, and if it must be closed for special reasons, prior notice will be given in advance.”
The organizers plan to conduct the protest by flying the banner plane for at least four days, starting around the ‘Genshin Impact’ themed cafe near Hongdae Entrance Station. On the 22nd, the plane will fly near Sadang Station, where HoYoverse Korea’s office is located, and on the 23rd and 24th, it will fly again around Hongdae Entrance Station.
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