IVE & BTS Accused of ‘Cultural Appropriation’ – But Who Came to Their Defense?

Despite the ongoing internal conflicts within HYBE and controversies surrounding Min Hee-jin, the global success of IVE’s second mini album “IVE SWITCH”remains undeniable.

The album’s success continued as it reached No.3 on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart and claimed top spots in 16 countries, further highlighting their global appeal.

The title track “HEYA”solidified their position by achieving No.1 on the iTunes Top Song Chart in multiple countries and amassing over 10 million views on YouTube within hours of its release, further adding to their success.

Unreasonable Accusations of Cultural Appropriation by Chinese Netizens

Despite IVE’s comeback, it has faced accusations of cultural appropriation from Chinese netizens, tarnishing its success.

The music video for “HEYA”features a blend of Korean traditional culture, including elements such as jeogori, norigae, and traditional paintings.

IVE & BTS Under Fire for 'Cultural Theft' — But Guess Who Shut Them Down? — IVE & BTS Under Fire for ‘Cultural Theft’ — But Guess Who Shut Them Down?(Photo : Daum)

Director Park Ji-eun addressed criticism over the group’s artistic choices, explaining that they were a modern interpretation of Korean aesthetics. However, Chinese internet users accused the group of cultural appropriation, pointing out similarities to traditional Chinese ink paintings and hair knots.

The targeting of K-pop artists for cultural issues by Chinese netizens is not a new phenomenon. In the past, similar allegations were made against BLACKPINK’s Jennie and BTS.

Despite the global influence of ARMY, the response to BTS was still tempered, bringing attention to the power dynamics at play in such controversies.

Comparison between BTS and ARMY Backlash

After their acceptance speech at the 2020 Van Fleet Awards, BTS received criticism from Chinese netizens, which they had also faced in the past.

The group’s recognition of historical conflicts between Korea and China resulted in allegations of ignoring Chinese history.

Despite facing initial criticism, BTS’s loyal fanbase, ARMY, pushed back and successfully silenced the negativity.

According to experts, Chinese netizens’ actions are influenced by a sense of inferiority towards Korea, leading to the continuation of this recurring trend.

Professor Seo Kyung-duk emphasizes the impact of state-controlled media on public perception, while Sociology Professor Yang Seung-hoon highlights the common historical and philosophical connections between East Asian nations.