A Chinese fan reported this harassment, urging Starship Entertainment to take immediate and strong measures to protect her.
On November 26, an individual (identified as “A”) posted a troubling message to their account, stating, “Unfortunately, I have some troubling news to share.”
A detailed the extent of the attacks, saying: “Ahn Yu-jin is facing serious cyberbullying in China, which has reached an uncontrollable level, far beyond what one could imagine.” The individual also addressed Starship Entertainment directly, pleading: “Please take immediate action to combat harmful rumors and comments.”
The fan called on the agency to prioritize protecting Ahn Yu-jin’s reputation and take decisive action against ongoing cyberbullying. They explained: “Malicious individuals are spreading false information and using Photoshop to defame it. The large-scale and sustained harassment has severely damaged his reputation and public image as a celebrity.”
Furthermore, they criticized the company’s marketing strategies, stating: “Stop the unreasonable marketing tactics and correct your misleading approach. As the leader of the group, Ahn Yu-jin has shown clear dedication and responsibility. However, the agency has exploited the controversies surrounding the group for reverse marketing, turning Ahn Yu-jin into a target of constant attacks and rumors, making her a tool and scapegoat for their strategy.” The fan urged Starship Entertainment to adopt more positive promotional strategies.
The source of the backlash
Ahn Yu-jin began facing criticism in China after the film’s release Hey music video in April, when it sparked controversy among Chinese netizens. During the promotional period, Ahn Yu-jin described the music video as “capturing Korean beauty, from set design to costumes, reflecting elements of traditional Korean culture”. However, some Chinese viewers accused the video of “stealing traditional Chinese culture”, citing design elements such as cloud patterns, landscape backgrounds, oriental-style shoes and fan designs as examples.
This reaction reflects an ongoing cultural dispute between China and Korea, where some aspects of Korean culture, including kimchi, hanbok and even K-pop imagery, have been claimed as “Chinese” by some Chinese netizens.
Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University commented on the matter, stating: “Chinese netizens, driven by deep-seated inferiority complexes, are going so far as to falsely accuse K-pop videos of stealing Chinese culture. It’s just another manifestation of their distorted Sinocentrism. It is both frustrating and sad to see unfounded claims continue.”
Source: TV Report
