"Attended Korean Impeachment Rally, Got Free Tteokbokki" Controversy Surrounds Taiwanese Girl Group-Origin Actress

Sharing Her Experience at the Gwanghwamun Impeachment Rally During Her Seoul Trip
"Food Shared Even with Foreigners, and Trash Cleaned Up"
"Serious Political Situation in Another Country..." Netizens Criticize

A Taiwanese female celebrity has sparked controversy by sharing on social media her impression that the rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol during her trip to Korea resembled a picnic. Local netizens criticized her for treating a serious political situation lightly from a foreigner's perspective, calling it "thoughtless," but she stated, "Korea is truly a wonderful place. I will choose to travel to Seoul again next time."

Screenshot of Huang Chaoxin's Instagram

According to Taiwanese media such as United Daily News on the 19th, Huang Qiaoxin (38), a former member of the Taiwanese girl group 'Hey Girl' who is now active as an actress and model, posted several photos on her Instagram on the 17th showing her visit to a rally held at Gwanghwamun Square while traveling in Seoul.

She said, "It was my first time experiencing a democratic rally in Korea, and I was really surprised," adding, "It was no different from a huge picnic." She continued, "There were chairs and food trucks, and all kinds of food were available for free," and "Even though people knew I was a foreigner, they kindly spoke to me and encouraged me to eat a lot."

She also added, "After eating, citizens voluntarily cleaned up the trash," and "The unity of Koreans cannot be underestimated. It was truly a special experience." She wrote "Gomawoyo" (Thank you) in Korean.

The post included photos and videos of her eating tteokbokki and hot dogs at the Gwanghwamun rally, as well as citizens sharing food.

Following this, local online criticism of her post continued, calling it "thoughtless." The criticism pointed out that she lightly consumed a neighboring country's serious political situation from a foreigner's viewpoint. Taiwanese netizens commented, "To belittle a neighboring country's rally as a picnic shows a low awareness of democracy," "Do you know what this rally means to Koreans before speaking?" and "When visiting another country, you should think and speak from the perspective of that country's people."

Hwang Chao-shin Instagram Capture

As the controversy continued, she posted again to explain the situation, saying, "It was a scene not seen in Taiwan, so as a tourist, everything felt special." Along with a photo of a middle-aged man smiling while handing out warm drinks, she emphasized, "People knew I was a foreigner but gestured to me and gave me warm drinks, and after the protest ended, everyone collected all the trash. This is an attitude we should learn."

Regarding the critical responses directed at her, she said, "I understand that everyone has different viewpoints, so I don't pay much attention," and "I simply shared what I saw and heard as a tourist on social media, and I have no special stance on Korean politics as a foreigner." She added, "Large-scale rallies are being held not only at Gwanghwamun but also at various tourist spots," and "I believe many other foreign tourists passing through these places also filmed these scenes."

Finally, she emphasized, "Korea is still a place I like," and "I will definitely come to Seoul again on my next trip."