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Chinese netizens outraged at K-pop star Lee Hyori’s ‘belittling’ Mao comment, while fans jump to her defence
- Lee Hyori suggested using Mao as her stage name on a TV show, enraging Chinese netizens
- They accuse her of belittling Mao Zedong, but Hyori’s supporters argue he is not the only Mao in China
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By Dong Sun-hwa
South Korean singer Lee Hyori has come under fire from Chinese netizens for allegedly ridiculing former Communist Party leader Mao Zedong.
Lee, a member of new K-pop girl group Refund Expedition formed on the reality show Hangout with Yoo, appeared on the programme on Saturday and discussed her musical activities with the show’s host, comedian Yoo Jae-suk.
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On the show, Yoo plays Jimmy Yoo, CEO of an entertainment company that represents Refund Expedition – comprising Lee, Hwasa of girl group Mamamoo, rapper Jessi and soloist Uhm Jung-hwa.
While they were talking about Lee’s Refund Expedition stage name, the singer said: “What about a Chinese name? We can go global with it. How about ‘Mao’?”
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Her remark led to a backlash online in China, with many Chinese internet users saying Lee ridiculed Mao, who was chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. His theories and polices are collectively known as “Maoism”.
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