"YouTuber Faces Overt Racism on the Street After Being Called 'Coronavirus' for Being Korean"

Local Media Outlets, Including the Times of India, Report on the Incident
Backlash Grows as Local Netizens Also Express Criticism

A YouTuber traveling in a region of India has gone viral after being called "coronavirus" by a local on the street. As criticism from Korean netizens mounted, local media outlets also reported on the incident, sparking a backlash.

In a video released by "Tooth Breaker," a YouTuber who creates global travel content, he is seen walking down an alley in Delhi, India, when a man behind him calls out "coronavirus." The YouTuber immediately turned around and asked, "What did you just say? Do I look Chinese to you?" The startled man replied, "No."

The YouTuber then pointed to the Korean writing on his hat and asked, "Can you see this?" The man responded by shouting, "Korea! K-pop," and made a gesture as if to hug the YouTuber.

The YouTuber said, "Don't call Koreans 'corona.' Wouldn't you feel bad if I called you Pakistani? It's the same as calling a Korean Chinese." When the man replied, "I like Pakistan," the YouTuber responded, "Fine, you're Pakistani. Anyway, don't call me Chinese."

The video drew significant attention from local media such as the Times of India on October 14 (local time), with widespread coverage. It was first uploaded as a short-form video to social networking services on September 12 and reportedly spread rapidly within India.

Local netizens reacted by saying, "We also experience racism within India," "Not everyone is like that," and "It's sad you went through this. I want to apologize on their behalf."