Despite internal conflicts within HYBE and ongoing controversies surrounding Min Hee-jin, IVE's second mini album "IVE SWITCH" has made significant strides in the global music scene.

The album soared to No.3 on the Worldwide iTunes Album Chart and secured top positions in 16 countries, showcasing their international popularity.

The success of the title track "HEYA" further solidified their standing by reaching No.1 on iTunes Top Song Chart in multiple countries and gaining over 10 million views on YouTube within hours of release.

Unreasonable Claims of Cultural Theft by Chinese Netizens

However, IVE's comeback has been marred by allegations of cultural appropriation from Chinese netizens.

The music video for "HEYA" incorporates various elements of Korean traditional culture, including jeogori, norigae, and traditional paintings.

Director Park Ji-eun clarified the artistic choices as a modern interpretation of Korean aesthetics, but Chinese internet users accused the group of appropriating Chinese culture, citing similarities to ink paintings and hair knots.

This is not the first time Chinese netizens have targeted K-pop artists for cultural issues. Notably, similar claims were raised against BLACKPINK's Jennie and BTS in the past.

However, the response to BTS was tempered due to ARMY's global influence, highlighting the power dynamics in such controversies.

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Comparison with BTS and ARMY Backlash

BTS faced criticism from Chinese netizens in the past, particularly after their acceptance speech at the 2020 Van Fleet Awards.

The group's acknowledgment of historical tensions between Korea and China led to accusations of disregarding Chinese history.

Despite initial backlash, BTS's immense fanbase, ARMY, countered the narrative, ultimately silencing the criticism.

Experts weigh in on this recurring trend, noting Chinese netizens' behaviors stemming from perceived inferiority towards Korea.

Professor Seo Kyung-duk highlights the role of state-run media in shaping public opinion, while Sociology Professor Yang Seung-hoon emphasizes the shared historical and philosophical ties among East Asian countries.

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Written by Cassidy Jones.