During the Chinese New Year, IVE Wonyoung and SNSD Seohyun received criticism online for using the terms “Seollal” and “Lunar New Year” in their Instagram posts
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IVE Wonyoung, SNSD Seohyun draw flak for using the term “Seollal” on Chinese New Year
On January 22, IVE Wonyoung and SNSD Seohyun sent their Lunar New Year wishes.
(Photo: News1)
IVE Wonyoung, SNSD Seohyun
Starting with Wonyoung, the singer of IVE dressed in traditional Korean hanbok, emanating a festive mood towards fans and the online community.
While the post was well-intentioned, others did not see it that way as netizens criticized the idol for coining the term “Seollal”.
Meanwhile, SNSD maknae Seohyun also received hate on her post for exactly the same reason. Like Wonyoung, the idol wore a mirror selfie hanbok.
Seohyun wished everyone a happy new year followed by lunar greetings. Seeing this, netizens urged Seohyun to use “Chinese New Year” instead of “Lunar New Year”.
“Happy Seollal.”
– IVE Wonyyoung
“Happy New Year. Happy Lunar New Year!”
– SNSD Seohyun
Both idols received hateful comments for referring to the celebration as “Seollal” or “Lunar New Year”.
Netizens commented, expressing concerns about the “cultural appropriation” of Chinese New Year in their posts.
(Photo: Panchoa)
(Photo: Panchoa)
(Photo: Panchoa)
(Photo: Panchoa)
However, some fans came to the idols’ defense, claiming that there was nothing wrong with what they called the holiday. They explained that the singers can use “Seollal” since they are Korean. Fans also pointed out the sensitivity of Internet users when it comes to calling this holiday “Lunar New Year”.
See their comments below:
Seollal to Seollal. Why can’t we call it that?”
“She’s Korean so she’ll use Seollal. What are they doing to Wonyoung?”
“Wonyoung didn’t do anything wrong. I hope she’s happy.”
“They really are bulls at the craziest things, I swear.”
“That’s why it’s not good to have so many Chinese fans.”
“But everyone in our country uses the word Seollal.”
NewJeans Danielle apologizes for using the word “Chinese New Year” on Lunar New Year
In connection with the theme of NewJeans, Danielle apologized for using the term “Chinese New Year”.
On January 19, the idol published a post on her Instagram in which she referred to the case. Danielle stated how she saw her mistake when she asked fans about plans for the new year. The message used the term “Chinese New Year”, causing Danielle to immediately delete it.
In addition, Danielle explained that she regrets her actions because Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated in many countries around the world, including Korea. She ended the statement by assuring fans to be careful in the future.
See the full statement below:
“Hello
This is Danielle from New Jeans.
On Thursday, January 19, I was at Phone. I sent you a message saying “What are ru bunnies doing for Chinese New Year?” I understood the error and corrected it right away, but the message has already been delivered to many people and has been reverted.
Since Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated in many countries and regions, including our Korea, my statement was inappropriate and I apologize for my behavior. Again, I am very sorry to Bunnies and many others who may be disappointed or hurt by this.
I will not forget it and will try to express myself more carefully in the future.
Sorry again.”
What do you think about hating Seohyun and Wonyoung? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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Written by Israel Monte
