Still cut from the movie "The Devil Wears Prada 2"

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The Hollywood film "The Devil Wears Prada 2" is facing a boycott movement in China amid accusations of racial stereotyping in its depiction of characters.

According to Chinese media outlets such as Zhonghuawang on April 21, criticism is spreading online that the name and portrayal of a Chinese character in a video released on the official YouTube account of 20th Century Studios on April 17 contains elements derogatory to Chinese people.

'The Devil Wears Prada 2' China Release Poster. Baidu

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Film Still from "The Devil Wears Prada 2"

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The controversial role is 'Qinzhou,' who appears as the assistant to the protagonist Andy (Anne Hathaway). The character is played by Chinese actor Sun Yutian. It has been pointed out that the pronunciation of this character’s name is similar to 'Ching Chong,' a term used in the West as a racial slur against Chinese people. 'Ching Chong' is known as a representative derogatory expression that originated in 19th-century Western society to mock Chinese laborers.

Screenshot of the trailer for "The Devil Wears Prada 2." Walt Disney Company Korea

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The depiction of the character has also come under fire. The character appears wearing glasses and a checkered shirt, contrasting with the glamorous figures of the fashion industry. There are also scenes where the character openly criticizes their boss or shows off. Netizens argue that this replicates Western stereotypes about highly educated Asians who excel academically but lack social skills. Some also claim that the exaggerated expressions and acting portray the character as awkward, making a caricature of Chinese people.

As the controversy widens, there is growing criticism on Chinese online platforms that the film "targets the Chinese market while demeaning Chinese people," with calls to oppose its release. With the film set to open during the Labor Day Golden Week (May 1-5), there are even predictions that the controversy may impact its box office performance.

Walt Disney Company Korea

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