Archery's An San Faces Backlash Over 'Maegukno' Label... Business Owner Reveals Real Name, Says "Suffering from Pro-Japanese Hate Comments"

Yangguk Player Ansan Targets Japanese-Style Restaurant on SNS
"Receiving Hate Comments Claiming I'm a Descendant of Pro-Japanese Collaborators... Please Stop the Controversy"

Ansang, who won three gold medals in archery at the Tokyo Olympics, sparked controversy by criticizing a Japanese-style restaurant, saying, "Why are there so many traitors in Korea?" On the 16th, Ansang posted a photo of an electronic signboard with the Japanese kanji phrase meaning "International Line Departure (to Japan)" ‘?際線 出?(日本行)’ on her social media Instagram story, along with this comment.

[Image source=Ansan Instagram capture]

The restaurant Ansang mentioned is reported to be ‘Special Night,’ a domestic brand chain located in a building in the Cheomdan district of Gwangju Metropolitan City. It is a nabe (Japanese hot pot) specialty izakaya (Japanese-style pub) and a domestic brand created by Koreans. The restaurants in the building are themed by floor with overseas travel concepts, and near this restaurant, a row of Japanese-style buildings with Japanese signboards operate under the theme ‘Trip to Japan.’ Ansang took a photo of the electronic signboard at the entrance.

Instagram stories disappear automatically after 24 hours, but the content spread widely online. Netizens responded in agreement with Ansang’s criticism, saying, “I hate traitors,” “I’ve been there too, and the staff communicated in Japanese,” and “If you like Japan, go live there.” On the other hand, some criticized Ansang’s public attack as reckless, saying, “Are all Japanese-style restaurants traitors?” “Do you harbor anti-Japanese sentiment toward Korean restaurants?” and “Then are you an independence activist?”

"Suddenly labeled a traitor" Business owner appeals for relief

[Image source=‘Seupesyalnait’ Kwon Sunho CEO Instagram capture]

The representative of the business, Kwon Sunho, expressed discomfort and complained about the damage caused. On the 17th, Kwon said on his Instagram, “Due to the resulting rumors and speculation, I was suddenly labeled a descendant of pro-Japanese collaborators, and my brand became a traitorous brand.” He added, “Because of the controversy, I received a considerable number of messages, and in an instant, I became a descendant of pro-Japanese collaborators. The store owners, including myself, are receiving malicious comments like ‘I hope you die.’ As an inexperienced representative, it is very difficult to know how to handle this situation.”

Kwon also added, “Even amid the ongoing recession following the pandemic, I sincerely ask for the controversy to end so that my hardworking colleagues, store owners, and loved ones do not suffer more.”