K-Pop Idols Embroiled in Controversy Over 'Lost Voices' at Paris Olympics
The incident of Korean pop idols allegedly "losing their voice" collectively during a recent visit to Paris for the Olympics has sparked heated debate and speculation on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The hashtag #韩国爱豆在巴黎奥运集体失声# (Korean idols' collective loss of voice in Paris Olympics) has been trending, with many netizens weighing in on the controversy.

29 July 2024
At the center of the storm is Korean idol Kim Min-kyu, who was accused by some netizens of being one of the idols who "lost their voice" during the Olympics. However, some fans of the idol have come to his defense, pointing out that he had posted messages of support for all athletes and had even wished his fans a good night's sleep after the event. They accused others of "cherry-picking" and "misinterpreting" his posts.
One netizen, @老实胶带OneTake, posted a screenshot of an article from a WeChat public account that had criticized Kim Min-kyu, only to reveal that the account had a history of spreading false rumors about other celebrities. The netizen accused the account of being "irresponsible" and "having no shame".

Another netizen, @我套呢?, questioned the notion of "losing one's voice", asking "what does it even mean to 'lose one's voice'? Is it like they're not speaking up for Korea or something?" The user went on to express frustration, stating "when our athletes were being insulted during the Winter Olympics, didn't they run away with their tails between their legs?"
A separate controversy arose when a netizen, @刘禅, shared a video of a French journalist mistaking the South Korean flag for the Chinese flag during an interview with a Korean athlete. The mistake was met with amused reactions from some netizens, who joked that " France is really bad at this, let's not forgive them!"
Meanwhile, a WeChat public account, @老实胶带OneTake, posted a screenshot of a message from Kim Min-kyu expressing fondness for China, saying "I've been to China, it's a beautiful country". Some netizens praised the idol for his kind words, while others remained skeptical, questioning whether he was simply trying to placate Chinese fans.

The incident highlights the complex and often fraught relationship between China and Korea, with some netizens quick to jump on any perceived slights or controversies. However, others have called for calm and understanding, pointing out that the Olympics are meant to promote unity and friendship among nations.
As one netizen, @徐贤, observed, "if we could go back two years ago, we might have thought that becoming 'galaxy idols' was something to be proud of". The comment seems to suggest that the current state of affairs, with idols being criticized and scrutinized for every move they make, is far from ideal.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the Korean idols' alleged "loss of voice" in Paris serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny that celebrities face in the public eye, particularly when it comes to issues of nationalism and international relations. As netizens continue to debate and discuss the incident, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.

Share this article
Related Articles

Yang Zi's Ethereal Style: The Actress's Transformation into a Fashion Goddess
By Trending on Weibo
Entertainment
25 Apr 2025

Cai Xukun's Live Stream Abruptly Shut Down, Sparking Widespread Speculation and Debate
By Trending on Weibo
Entertainment
25 Apr 2025

Star-Studded Lineup Announced for 20th China Film Huabiao Awards
By Trending on Weibo
Entertainment
25 Apr 2025

Zhao Liying's Appearance in Huabiao Awards Promotional Video Sparks Debate
By Trending on Weibo
Entertainment
25 Apr 2025

Faye Wong Attends Ex-Husband Nicholas Tse's Concert, Sparking Media Frenzy
By Trending on Weibo
Entertainment
25 Apr 2025