By Dong Sun-hwa The controversy over K-pop juggernaut BTS’ comments on the Korean war isn’t going away in China – and this offers some crucial hints about that country’s political climate, according to experts. The seven-piece act made the “controversial remark” on October 7 after receiving an award from US-based non-profit organisation The Korea Society for contributing to Seoul-Washington ties. During his acceptance speech, BTS frontman RM referred to the Korean war, in which the US aided South Korea to fight against a North Korea invasion from 1950-53. “We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together and the sacrifice of countless men and women,” he said in English during a virtual ceremony. Some Chinese observers claimed BTS had “humiliated” their country – which was on the North’s side during the war – by not recognising the sacrifices of the Chinese soldiers. Lim Dae-geun, a professor of Chinese Cinema Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in South Korea, said an unresolved historical issue had created the cultural conflict. “When two countries establish diplomatic relations after a war, an invader usually makes an apology first,” he said. “But in the case of South Korea and China, there was no apology or any other settlement because North Korea was in between them. Hence, Koreans and the Chinese have different views of the war – for the latter, the Korean war was a war against US aggression to help North Koreans.” The role that fan merchandise plays, from BTS hats to Biden bags This wasn’t the first time a Korean celebrity had come under fire from Chinese internet users. In August, singer Lee Hyori came under attack after suggesting “Mao” as her stage name on MBC’s reality show Hangout with Yoo . Many Chinese internet users claimed Lee had “belittled” communist leader Mao Zedong. “China is having a trade row with the US and the country has not yet resolved the Covid-19 problems,” Lim said. “To fend off accusations from its people and escape responsibilities, the Chinese Communist Party is using patriotism as a tool to avert people’s eyes. The CCP is appealing to their emotions, so these days, the Chinese are very sensitive about incidents linked to patriotism.” Following the BTS dispute, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said last Monday: “I want to say that we all should learn lessons from history and look forward to the future, and hold peaceful and strong friendships.” Lim Jin-hee, a research professor at Wonkwang University’s Korean Chinese Relations Institute, said China appeared to want to cover up the issue for diplomatic reasons. “China is facing diplomatic challenges these days,” she said. “It has been at odds with a number of countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other economic issues. Hence, the country has been seeking amicable relations with Korea, which has mostly been neutral – it does not want to lose one more friend because of an incident like this.” However, the Chinese state-run media outlet Global Times – which withdrew its October 12 online article about Chinese internet users angry at BTS – posted on October 14 a new piece highlighting the Koreans’ negative reaction to the uproar in China. It said: “Some Korean media are criticising Chinese netizens for overreacting and being extremely patriotic.” But the professor said the article was far from extremely critical and South Korea did not have to pay much attention to it because the CCP had not shifted its position. “What we have to focus on is the stance and reactions of the Chinese government,” Lim said. The incident has raised another question: should stars such as BTS – who have a solid international fandom – be more sensitive to the feelings of all fans around the world? Or was RM right to make the remarks? More than 250 people shared their thoughts on the Korea Times’ Facebook and Twitter accounts. “It is understandable that some Chinese took offence at RM’s comments because China suffered casualties too,” Korea Times reader ER Won said on Facebook. “But these Chinese have to understand, RM was talking as a South Korean, thanking the USA; without the USA’s support, there is a possibility South Korea and BTS may not exist today. “RM did not criticise China for supporting North Korea. RM’s comment was not malicious or offensive. RM was just commenting as a South Korean acknowledging the support given by the USA during the Korean war.” Twitter user Tina Sosourada wrote: “The freedom of speech is important for a democratic society. Pop stars are also members of society and have a right to express themselves. He expressed his thoughts in a thoughtful way, so I think some people are misusing his statement for other purposes.” There were also contrasting views. “The entertainment industry should be dedicated to entertaining and not to exercising politics,” Facebook user Lola Navarro Cuevas said. Read the full story at the Korea Times