Prominent Professor Criticizes Chinese Netizens for Attacking Jun Ji-hyun

On September 24, Seo Kyung-duk took to social media to comment on a contentious moment from the Disney+ drama Tempest, where actress Jun Ji-hyun posed the provocative question: “Why does China prefer war? A nuclear bomb could fall in the border area.” This line triggered intense discussions among netizens from both Korea and China.

Seo highlighted the fallout from this incident, noting that many Chinese viewers perceived the dialogue as offensive. As a result, advertising campaigns featuring Jun Ji-hyun endorsing various products, including cosmetics and watches, faced significant disruptions, further escalating the controversy.

Adding to the irony, Seo stated: “While Chinese netizens are entitled to express their opinions after watching Tempest, it is notable that Disney+ is unavailable in China, much like Netflix. The fact that they found a way to watch the show implies that they pirated the content. They have appropriated someone else’s work and now use it as a point of contention.”

Seo Kyung-duk Jun Ji-hyun Tempest controversy

Furthermore, Seo urged for a more constructive approach, suggesting that if viewers had concerns regarding the script, their response should have been to reach out to the show’s producers or Disney+, rather than resorting to unfounded attacks online.

In closing, Seo remarked, “As K-content continues to gain international acclaim, it is understandable that some Chinese netizens might feel threatened. However, their current focus on disparaging Korean content seems excessive. I genuinely hope they reconsider their stance.”

As the situation unfolded, reports indicated that the backlash in China intensified, leading several brands to suspend their campaigns with Jun Ji-hyun and even cancel upcoming photo shoots in Seoul. Nonetheless, her agency provided clarification on September 23, stating, “We have confirmed with our local agency in China that while some schedules have been postponed, none have been canceled. These changes were prearranged prior to the release of Tempest due to local circumstances.”

Sources: Daum

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