Korean Internet Ablaze over Song Yuqi's Comments on 'China's Taiwan'

The Weibo netizens' comments highlighted a perceived discriminatory undertone against Koreans, and in some instances, Taiwanese, stemming from Song's remarks. Words like "棒子" (a derogatory term for Koreans) and phrases denoting Taiwanese as individuals who could "go wherever they wanted, as long as the land remains ours (China's)," were used.

The issue began when Song Yuqi, a member of the South Korean girl group (G)I-DLE, referred to Taiwan as part of China during an interview. This comment sparked an immediate reaction from netizens, particularly those in China, given the contentious nature of Taiwan's political status.

Many Chinese users expressed outrage and confusion over why a Korean celebrity would interject into what they perceive as a domestic issue. Comments such as "Why are Koreans meddling in our affairs?" and "What does this have to do with Koreans?" were common, displaying a sense of nationalistic defense of China's territorial claims over Taiwan.

Several netizens suggested that Korean celebrities are "making money" in China while simultaneously criticizing it, a sentiment that reflects an ongoing tension between Chinese and Korean public opinion. This was seen in comments like "韩国艺人圈的少吗？" (Aren't Korean artists earning a lot from China?), insinuating that Korean artists should respect China's position due to their economic reliance on the Chinese market.

Further, users discussed the potential implications for Ye Shuhua, another member of (G)I-DLE who is originally from China, and questioned whether her views align with Song's. Calls for her to make her stance known were prevalent, indicating a pressure on Chinese celebrities to publicly declare their allegiance on such sensitive matters.

The conversation also revolved around the concept of "同胞" (compatriots). Some users showed disdain towards the idea, arguing that only those who are patriotic can be considered "compatriots," hinting at a deeper cultural divide within the Chinese-speaking community.

One particularly incendiary comment used a litany of stereotypes to describe Korea, including its small size, the perception of cosmetic surgery prevalence, and an alleged propensity for plagiarism, highlighting a deeply entrenched xenophobic sentiment.

The controversy has prompted a myriad of responses and shown that sentiments regarding Taiwan's status and the role of foreign influencers in the discourse can provoke strong reactions. It has also underscored the potential for such comments to rekindle long-standing cultural tensions, even in the realm of social media.