James “Zhao Yufan”, the Taiwanese-born member of rookie boy group CORTIS, is under fire from Chinese netizens following his 2025 acceptance speech MAMA Awards. The controversy centers on the fact that James only spoke English and Korean, despite being of Taiwanese descent, raising questions about his language choice and identity.
During CORTIS’ emotional acceptance of the Best New Artist award, James delivered his remarks fluently in Korean and English, thanking the fans and team for their support. However, some netizens in China took issue with the absence of even a single word in Chinese.
“Do you even know Chinese?” a comment read. Others questioned whether James acknowledged the support from Chinese fans, expressing disappointment that he didn’t attempt to include Mandarin, even briefly.
Some netizens also compared him to other idols who, despite not being fluent, still made an effort to speak Chinese during major international events. The tone of criticism has intensified, with some harsh remarks aimed at James’ mixed Thai heritage and family background, igniting further tension online.
James CORTIS MAMA speech controversy
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On the other hand, James’ fans defended him, saying that the choice of language is entirely up to the artist. They pointed out that MAMA Awards it is a globally broadcast event, and using more widely understood languages such as English and Korean can help ensure greater accessibility and reach.
“It’s about connecting with a diverse audience,” one supporter wrote. “Let’s not politicize a simple discursive choice.”
This incident adds another layer of complexity to K-pop’s growing geopolitical sensitivity, especially as more and more idols navigate multilingual and multicultural identities under the global spotlight.
