Korean Celebrity Sitting Alone Without Cushion... 'Racial Discrimination' Controversy Again Over That Brand

Dolce & Gabbana ATIS 'San' Racism Controversy
Unprepared Cushions and Cramped Seating

ATEEZ's San (real name Choi San) became embroiled in a racial discrimination controversy after attending the luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana show held in Milan, Italy. Earlier, on the 2nd (local time), San attended the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda show held in Nora, Sardinia, Italy.

Subsequently, claims that San was subjected to racial discrimination surfaced mainly on online communities. A photo of his back while watching the fashion show was shared. Coincidentally, only San's seat lacked a cushion, and the seat was narrow, causing him to sit uncomfortably.

San, a member of the group ATEEZ, attending the luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana show held in Milan, Italy.
Photo by Online Community

Dolce & Gabbana's past controversies involving racial discrimination against East Asians supported these claims. In 2018, Dolce & Gabbana faced backlash for an advertisement featuring an Asian model with 'slanted eyes' eating pizza with chopsticks, which was criticized as racist. The video, depicting the model eating Italian food in a comical way, led Chinese consumers to boycott Dolce & Gabbana products. As a result, Dolce & Gabbana canceled a fashion show that was scheduled to be held in Shanghai.

A Dolce & Gabbana photoshoot that sparked past racial discrimination controversies.
[Photo by Dolce & Gabbana]

In 2016, racial discrimination controversies also arose from the 'Dolce & Gabbana 2016 SUMMER Campaign' photos released on their official Twitter and website. The photos depicted fashion models of various ethnicities enjoying a party while eating together, but only the East Asian model was eating pasta with their hands. Additionally, only the East Asian model wore a napkin around their neck, which also sparked claims of racial discrimination.

A security guard stopping Yoona from posing at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival
[Photo by X (formerly Twitter) capture]

Previously, singer and actress Yoona was also involved in a racial discrimination controversy in Europe. On the 19th of last month, she was officially invited to the 77th Cannes Film Festival as the only Korean ambassador for the jewelry brand Kirin and walked the red carpet. At that time, as Yoona was ascending the stairs, she turned around to pose and wave to fans, but a female security guard extended her arm to restrain Yoona, sparking a racial discrimination controversy.

The security guard caused conflicts with participants throughout the film festival. She had disputes over similar issues with Kelly Rowland, formerly of the American girl group Destiny's Child, and even got into a physical altercation with Dominican actress Maciel Taveras. The fact that all those excessively restrained by this security guard were people of color fueled the racial discrimination controversy.