Seok Kyung-duk: "Jang Wonyoung's Bonghwang Binyeo is Chinese? ... Stop Chinese Netizens Distorting Using Hallyu Star"

Binyeo 'Bongjam' Shaped Like a Phoenix Is a Traditional Korean Ornament
"A Manifestation of Misguided Patriotism... Respect Foreign Cultures," a Sharp Critique

Girl group IVE member Jang Wonyoung showcased a phoenix-shaped binyeo at Paris Fashion Week earlier this month. Photo by Yonhap News Agency (captured from Jang Wonyoung's Facebook)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University sharply criticized Chinese netizens who claim that Korea's traditional phoenix-shaped binyeo (hairpin) is their own, calling it an "absurd claim."

On the 28th, Professor Seo posted on his Instagram, "Some Chinese influencers and netizens are repeatedly 'stealing' by using our Hallyu stars to disguise Korean traditional culture as their own," adding, "The main reason is that attacking popular Hallyu stars creates buzz and helps manipulate public opinion domestically through media coverage."

This was a rebuke directed at Chinese netizens who claimed the phoenix-shaped binyeo showcased by IVE member Jang Wonyoung at the Paris Fashion Week earlier this month is a symbol of their country. At the time, Jang Wonyoung attracted attention by wearing a silver phoenix-shaped binyeo while attending an event for a luxury jewelry brand where she serves as an ambassador. On the 16th, she introduced the binyeo in a video uploaded to the YouTube channel 'Vogue Korea,' saying, "I wanted to show the charm of Korea in Paris, so I brought the binyeo from Korea."

According to Professor Seo, the 'bongjam,' a binyeo shaped like a phoenix, is a traditional Korean accessory. It is characterized by its splendid and beautiful design, along with other types such as 'yongjam,' which features a dragon-shaped head, and 'tteoljam,' which simultaneously depicts bats and flowers.

Professor Seo stated, "As Korean traditional and popular culture gain global attention, Chinese netizens feel threatened, which can be seen as an expression of misguided patriotism," and advised, "Chinese netizens must learn to respect other countries' cultures first to have their own culture respected."

In the past, Chinese netizens also claimed that Korea's traditional hanbok belonged to their country. In February, actress Park Shin-hye posted a photo wearing hanbok on her Instagram and received malicious comments from Chinese netizens. In the same month, Girls' Generation member Hyoyeon temporarily closed the comment section after receiving malicious comments from Chinese netizens on her hanbok photo posted on Instagram.

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