Professor Defends BLACKPINK From Chinese Netizens Following Backlash for Holding Pandas

Previously, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, BLACKPINK was caught under fire by Chinese netizens for touching and holding pandas in the preview for an unreleased '24/365 BLACKPINK' episode. Now, a South Korean professor is defending the girls from the hate.

Read more about it here.

Professor Seo Kyung Deok of Sungshin Women's University recently took to Instagram to defend BLACKPINK from the hate they are receiving from Chinese netizens. They mention how many public figures have held pandas with their bare hands before BLACKPINK and they did not get canceled. One notable figure is Chinese basketball player Yao Ming in 2012.

The professor also believes that the Chinese are afraid of South Korea, as their culture is being spread throughout the world.

Read his whole statement here:

"Currently, there is a huge controversy is happening in China because of their exaggerated patriotism. First, they tried to cancel BTS, and now they are trying to do the same with BLACKPINK.

Chinese netizens are attacking BLACKPINK because they were shown touching pandas with their bare hands. However, famous singers, actors, and even politicians have touched pandas for photos in the past.

As you can see in the photo, Chinese basketball player, Yao Ming, was seen touching a baby panda with his bare hands and took photos during an event back in 2012.

China must be scared of Korea and our culture being spread so wide around the globe. I hope China learns to understand and respect other people's cultures first.

BTS and BLACKPINK, fighting!"

Previously, BLACKPINK was under fire for interacting and touching pandas with their bare hands after visiting the pandas in Everland amusement park. Chinese netizens were enraged to see the girls of BLACKPINK touching the pandas without a mask and without wearing gloves. Chinese netizens also say that it is irresponsible for the girls of BLACKPINK to be wearing make-up while holding the pandas.

People were also upset that the girls interacted with pandas when it is known they have dogs at home. Pandas are known to pass away if the contract the canine distemper virus, which is transferrable through dogs. Chinese netizens slammed BLACKPINK for transferring the virus to them.

Many netizens commented that it is against the law for non-professionals to come into contact with pandas and accused YG Entertainment, Everland amusement park, and BLACKPINK of possibly endangering China's 'national treasures'. According to laws on panda diplomacy, all pandas in foreign countries, even those that are born abroad, are owned by China. Other countries must pay China to loan the pandas. Because of this, Chinese netizens accused all three parties of not prioritizing Chinese regulations.

Chinese netizens are fighting back against those defending BLACKPINK, saying that though it is mostly Everland's fault for allowing the girls to film and meet the pandas without gloves or a mask, they are overall still the ones responsible if those pandas get sick or have skin irritation. Because of that, Chinese netizens are saying that BLACKPINK cannot act as if they have done nothing in the situation.

ALSO READ: Chinese Netizens Slam BLACKPINK for Interacting With Pandas

Since then, YG Entertainment has chosen to not release the episode with the pandas.

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Written by Alexa L.