Former Girls' Generation Jessica, who restarted her career in China was suddenly embroiled in a controversy after reports claimed she's eating "kimchi" in the country. What really happened?

Jessica Jung Raised Brows After Report Saying Idol Only Eat Kimchi, Refusing To Consume Chinese Food

Jessica Jung, a former member of the "Nation's Girl Group" Girls' Generation, is on alert for her Chinese activities. This is after unconfirmed reports claimed that the idol refused to eat Chinese food and only ate kimchi, a Korean side dish comprised of fermented/salted napa cabbage and white radish.

This revelation then spread online in no time, further stating that Jessica would eat every meal she brought from Korea with kimchi, refusing to eat any Chinese food. There are also testimonies that the idol exclaimed that there's nothing to eat in China.

"Jessica took kimchi unconditionally during her activities in China and did not eat Chinese food. After returning to Korea, she complained that there was nothing to eat in China."

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The authenticity or legitimate source has not been identified, but Chinese media are already pouring out provocative articles such as implying Jessica does not respect the culture of the country, and later on, adding an explanation, "According to an entertainment reporter" to make it look credible.

But why is it a sin to eat kimchi in China?

To explain, the positive reactions about Jessica from the public are not rapidly deteriorating due to the disclosure of the idol eating kimchi. While it is natural for Koreans to eat kimchi, Chinese locals were disappointed that the idol is supposedly eating meals ordered from Korea because "there's nothing to eat in China."

Apparently, locals were offended that the idol haven't favored any dish from the country despite staying there for quite some time. They emphasized that not eating Chinese food is disrespectful, is beyond logical leap and is nothing more than a reckless "criticism."

Chinese netizens were also pointing out that Jessica's excessive "pride" in her own culture became poisonous to her career.

How Will Controversy Affect Jessica Jung?

In particular, after being kicked out from SNSD in 2014, Jessica went back to the US, the country where she grew up and expand her lifestyle brand, BLANC & ECLARE. She also arose as one of the hottest global fashion icons.

In 2022 then, Jessica announced her reboot in the music industry as an idol after about eight years by joining the girl group survival show, "Sisters Who Make Waves 3." This time, she challenged herself as a China-based idol and grew in popularity by appearing in various programs afterward.

Just as when she finally established her fame and the trust of the Chinese, Jessica was suddenly embroiled in an unexpected controversy in China.

 Due to this, attention is focusing on whether Jessica, who has been active in her Chinese activities since her withdrawal from Girls' Generation, will put a brake on her activities due to the controversy.

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Written by Eunice Dawson.