"Agency Should Provide History Education" Criticism
Seokyeongdeok: "It Only Further Damages National Image"
K-pop girl group NMIXX became the target of Japanese netizens after singing "Dokdo is Our Land" on a YouTube broadcast.
K-pop girl group NMIXX became the target of Japanese netizens after singing "Dokdo is Our Land" on a YouTube broadcast. The photo shows NMIXX's Seol Yoon (left) and Haewon. Photo by NMIXX SNS.
On the 22nd of last month, NMIXX appeared on the YouTube channel "MMTG Munmyeongteukgeup" and was asked by the MC to play a game of continuing songs with similar melodies. The MC first demonstrated by mixing the song "Dokdo is Our Land," SHINee's song "Lucifer," the theme song of the cartoon "Pok?mon," and the children's song "Crocodile Gang," and the NMIXX members followed by singing one verse each of the respective songs.
Member Haewon started with "If you tie me up and lock me away," followed by Seolyun with "Two hundred ri along the sea route," Jiwoo with "Butterfree, Wurmple," Lily with "The home of the birds," Bae with "No matter who insists it is their land," and Gyujin with "The crocodile gang appears," in that order.
Japanese netizens immediately expressed anger. Criticisms poured in such as "Are Japanese fans ATMs?" "It was a waste of money to spend on NMIXX," "The company (JYP Entertainment) needs to provide history education," and "I am ashamed to be a fan of NMIXX."
Korean netizens did not hold back either. Comments included, "Every Korean naturally thinks Dokdo is Korean land. Even Korean celebrities loved in Japan are no exception," and "Even if you consume NMIXX content, you have no right to lecture NMIXX. Especially regarding Dokdo-related issues." A sentiment also emerged praising NMIXX as true K-pop artists for singing "Dokdo is Our Land" without hesitation despite idols often being cautious about the Japanese market.
Regarding this, Professor Seokyeongdeok from Sungshin Women's University recalled a past case where Japanese right-wing groups caused a major controversy by posting on social media a scene of BTS leader RM wearing hanbok and singing "Dokdo is Our Land." He criticized, "There is a tendency to use the song 'Dokdo is Our Land' sung by K-pop stars to make unreasonable claims about Dokdo. Such activities by Japanese netizens only damage their own country's image further."
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