BTS Jin's 'Super Tuna' Lyrics Spark Outrage Among Japanese Netizens... Seokgyeongdeok Says "Due to Sense of Crisis"

Seokyeongdeok "More than Half of the World's Leading Mapmakers Use Both 'East Sea' and 'Sea of Japan'"

Poster of 'Super Tuna,' a self-composed song released by BTS Jin, and a map of Santa Claus Village in Finland / Photo by Professor Seokyungdeok Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Regarding some Japanese netizens pointing out that the name of the sea appearing in BTS member Jin's self-composed song 'Super Tuna' should be 'Sea of Japan' instead of 'East Sea,' Professor Seokyeongdeok of Sungshin Women's University criticized it as a "sign of anxiety."

On the 13th, Professor Seo wrote on his Facebook, "Voices targeting BTS member Jin's self-composed song 'Super Tuna' are emerging. The reason is that the sea name between Korea and Japan in the lyrics was written as 'East Sea' instead of 'Sea of Japan,'" adding, "Japanese netizens are expressing fear of BTS's global influence and the increasing use of the East Sea designation compared to the past."

BTS Jin released his self-composed song 'Super Tuna' on the 4th to celebrate his birthday. Japanese netizens argue that in the lyrics, 'Where did my fish go, East Sea, West Sea,' the East Sea should be labeled as 'Sea of Japan.' Japan has long claimed Dokdo as its territory and has also asserted that the East Sea is the Sea of Japan.

Professor Seo explained, "In maps published by globally influential map publishers, more than half use both 'East Sea' and 'Sea of Japan' together," adding, "Especially in November last year, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) decided to label digital nautical charts with unique numbers instead of 'East Sea' or 'Sea of Japan.'"

He continued, "The Japanese government also feels a 'sense of crisis' and in October this year produced videos in nine languages claiming 'Sea of Japan' instead of 'East Sea' to promote internationally," emphasizing, "This moment, when Japanese netizens and the government feel fear and anxiety about the use of 'East Sea,' is the right time to inform the world about the 'East Sea.'"

He added, "Of course, the efforts of our government are important, but above all, continuous interest from our citizens is more necessary," and declared, "We will soon produce a video rebutting the Japanese government's 'Sea of Japan' video with 'East Sea' and widely share it worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.