China's Hypocrisy on Culture [Correspondent Diary]

A Chinese Idol Who Didn't Perform the Deep Bow Faces Backlash in Korea... Cultural Products Must Be Inclusive
Global Content Can't Emerge from China Obsessed with Sinocentrism and Narcissism

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] 'Chinese member did not perform a deep bow, criticized by Korean netizens.'

This is the headline of an article posted on Baidu (the Korean version of Naver). It was published by the state-run Global Times at 00:00:05 on the 9th.

Photo by Baidu capture

While searching for related articles, I found that this media outlet published an article on the 4th titled 'Chinese member of K-pop group gave New Year's greetings in Chinese style.' It reported that Wang Yiren, the Chinese member of the girl group Everglow, greeted fans at a Korean fan signing event using traditional Chinese etiquette, and Chinese netizens praised her for it. While the five Korean members performed the Korean-style deep bow for the New Year greeting, Wang Yiren greeted alone in the Chinese style.

The Global Times then quoted a Chinese netizen's comment saying, 'Wang Yiren is a good example of a Chinese star expanding overseas.' They praised her for adhering to Chinese etiquette and spreading Chinese culture abroad. The Global Times added that she belongs to Yuehua Entertainment, a Chinese entertainment company, and that she had previously expressed support for cotton from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on her social media.

Up to this point, the content is understandable. Just as we have national pride, Chinese people also have their own national pride.

However, the article posted in the early hours of the 9th took a 180-degree turn. It reported that Wang Yiren, who is praised by Chinese netizens, is being criticized by Korean netizens for not performing the Korean-style deep bow for the New Year greeting. It claimed that she, who upheld Chinese culture, is being mistreated by Korean netizens. On Baidu, there are similar articles accumulating about Wang Yiren being criticized by Korean netizens.

The Global Times also published a separate article stating that Koreans are overly sensitive to Chinese culture. The media cited the drama Snowdrop as an example. It reported that a scene showing people playing mahjong received criticism from many Korean viewers. While Chinese people are not bothered at all, Koreans are uniquely sensitive to Chinese culture.

It also mentioned the drama Joseon Exorcist, which was suspended last year due to historical distortion, as another example of Koreans' excessive reaction. It added that the Korean drama Vincenzo was also criticized by Koreans due to scenes featuring Chinese food brands. The article advised that cultural products such as dramas should be inclusive, and that Koreans' criticism becomes an obstacle to the spread of Korean culture.

That is a valid point. However, China has no right to give such advice. In August last year, Chinese authorities disciplined Yuehua Entertainment, to which Wang Yiren belongs, for holding a performance to entertain South Korean troops. At that time, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Yuehua Entertainment, headquartered in Beijing, issued a statement saying, "We deeply regret and sincerely apologize for the negative impact caused by the performance conducted by our Korean subsidiary."

As China's economy rose to the world's second largest, it has been emphasizing nationalism and patriotism. With fuller pockets, it appears to be deeply immersed in the outdated ideology of Sinocentrism. In such a self-absorbed China, global content like Parasite or Squid Game cannot emerge. Global stars like BTS are also far from reach.

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