Seo Kyung-duk Criticized 'Kimchi → Paocai' Notation, Says "Attacked by Chinese Netizens"

Choo Ja-hyun Apologizes for Paocai Controversy... "Sorry for Causing Concern"

Actress Chu Ja-hyun sparked controversy by labeling kimchi as "pao cai" on the Chinese version of Instagram, Xiaohongshu. Photo by Professor Seo Kyung-duk, SNS screenshot.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Professor Seokyungdeok of Sungshin Women's University revealed on the 23rd that he received a tremendous attack from Chinese netizens after criticizing actress Chu Ja-hyun for labeling kimchi as pao cai (泡菜).

On the same day, Professor Seo wrote on his Facebook, "This happens all the time, but this time it was worse. As expected, two days ago, when an entertainer labeled kimchi as 'pao cai,' Chinese state media such as Global Times and Guancha began targeting me with articles," he said.

He pointed out, "The Global Times, a mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, frequently publishes articles about my every word and action, which seems to indicate how fearful they are of my activities."

Earlier, the Global Times reported on the 21st an article mentioning Professor Seo's criticism of Chu Ja-hyun, titled "Korean professor complains again."

The media stated, "Professor Seo, who has continuously raised issues related to kimchi, stepped in this time targeting a Korean entertainer growing in China." This referred to Professor Seo's criticism of Chu Ja-hyun labeling kimchi as 'pao cai' in a video of her eating ramen posted on 'Xiaohongshu,' the Chinese version of Instagram, on the 17th.

The media also explained about Professor Seo, "In December 2020, he sent a protest email to the Chinese portal Baidu, which wrote that 'Korean kimchi originated in China.'"

An article by the Chinese state-run media Global Times criticizing Professor Seo Kyung-duk. Photo by Professor Seo Kyung-duk's Facebook and Global Times capture.

Additionally, the media quoted an expert making disparaging remarks about Korea. L? Chao, senior researcher at the North Korea-Korea Research Center of the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, said in an interview with the media, "Unlike China, which lightly treats the origin of kimchi as a joke, Korea takes it much more seriously. This is related to the sensitive ethnic pride of Koreans."

He continued, "To Chinese eyes, kimchi may seem like a mere side dish, but to Koreans, it is a globally important invention," mocking.

Regarding this, Professor Seo criticized, "Why does China try to take away a 'mere side dish'? Korea at least does not covet the most important inventions of other countries. This is the biggest difference between Korea and China."

He also pointed out, "I hope that in the future, Chinese state media will refrain from writing emotional articles about kimchi and instead investigate the accurate historical and cultural facts about kimchi before publishing."

Meanwhile, as the controversy spread, Chu Ja-hyun apologized through her agency BH Entertainment, saying, "Although I have always paid more attention and caution than anyone else regarding these matters while working in both Korea and China, I apologize for causing concern to many people due to this incident."

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