a removed BTS from their advertising in China after criticism online and in a Beijing tabloid newspaper.
It began after the seven members of the band were presented with an award by the Korea Society of the United States for their contribution to US-South Korea relations.
In accepting the honour, Kim Nam-joon, who goes by the name RM or Rap Monster, referred to the 1950-53 war. “The Korea Society 2020 Gala is especially meaningful as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War,” he told a ceremony held by video last week. “We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together and the sacrifices of countless men and women.”
The war was fought by South Korea and a US-led United Nations force against North Korea and China. Some of BTS’s Chinese fans suggested that Kim’s words had dismissed Chinese troops’ suffering. The state-run Global Times said the remarks “reflected a one-sided attitude”.
Well yes, but the significant point here is not simply that the Chinese were offended that the suffering of their troops was ignored. In the context of an award for their contribution to US-South Korea relations, what the Bangtan boy said was entirely unremarkable. The point, as South Korea's Chosun Ilbo notes, is that in China, as in North Korea, they're taught that the US and the South were the aggressors in the Korean War – so the Chinese troops, far from being accessories to a blatant piece of warmongering by the North, are seen as heroic defenders against US imperialism:
The state-run daily Global News on Monday complained that the speech "reflected a one-sided attitude" that "has enraged Chinese netizens as many Chinese fans decide to quit the band's fan club."
"Many Chinese netizens pointed out that the speech plays up to U.S. netizens, but the country played the role of aggressor in the war," it added.
They had complained that RM ignored the estimated 1 million Chinese soldiers who were also killed or injured in the 1950-1953 war. Unfortunately they fought on the side of North Korea, which started the war.
But Chinese history textbooks do not mention that inconvenient fact and only teach that China helped the North by resisting U.S. attacks.
Once the storm in a teacup escalated, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor and FILA removed BTS from their advertisements in China.
And so China makes its point, and of course gets its way. And a marker is laid down about what's acceptable and what isn't acceptable from companies that want access to the huge Chinese market.
Not that they're taking any credit:
But the Chinese government is so far staying above the fray. Asked about the kerfuffle, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman told reporters on Monday, "I want to say that we all should learn lessons from history, look forward to the future, hold dear peace and strengthen friendship."
Isn't that nice?
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