NCT Winwin, EVERGLOW Yiren Criticized for Weibo Posts— Here's Why
Chinese K-pop idols Winwin and Yiren faced backlash from Koreans and international fans after what they posted on their respective Weibo accounts. Curious? Keep on reading for all the details.
Winwin, Yiren Face Backlash Following Weibo Posts
Chinese citizens who are actively promoting as K-pop idols are currently gaining attention following the Weibo posts of Winwin, a member of the group NCT/WayV and Yiren, an EVERGLOW member.
In particular, on August 3, Winwin posted on his Weibo, a Chinese social media platform supporting China's "One China" principle.
He wrote:
"There is only one China."
The male idol also shared a poster of CCTV, a Chinese state-run broadcaster emphasizing the principle of "One China."
As a brief context about this principle, it is argued that China (the People's Republic of China) and Taiwan, a self-governing island, cannot be divided and that Taiwan is part of China.
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The discussion and claims about this principle again heated as a criticism of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan the night before.
The Chinese side is protesting Pelosi's trip to Taiwan, stating it violates the principle of "one China." In fact, more than 2 million articles criticizing Pelosi were posted on Weibo.
Following Winwin, Wang Yiren, a Chinese member of the group EVERGLOW, also posted on Weibo on the same day in support of China.
She initially became a controversial member after refusing to make a Korean bow at a fan meeting held in January to commemorate the New Year. As a result, Yiren stopped her activities in Korea, returned to China for an academic break, and visited her family, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.
With their posts, the Chinese K-pop idols who conveyed political messages drew criticism from Korean and international fans.
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There are speculations that their opinions and personal activities can damage the entire group's reputation and image.
K-Netz responded:
- "Can't you just work alone in China?"
- "You can't use Chinese members."
- "No comeback for you."
On social media and in Korean online communities, fans and internet users conveyed their frustrations and demanded the idols leave their respective teams and start their solo careers instead in China.
- "Go to China and work in your home country!"
- "If you debut in Korea and become popular and earn money, do the basics."
- "This makes it difficult to see groups with Chinese members."
- "Wow, it's disgusting."
- "Why don't you go to China where you love and get popular with your own power? But you become popular as a Hallyu idol. It's ridiculous to see you from a K-pop group from time to time."
NCT/WayV Winwin Praised by Chinese Following 'One China' Post
Contrary to the reaction of domestic and foreign fans, Chinese netizens praised the male idol for his post.
As of 10 a.m. KST, Winwin's writing has more than 8,300 "likes." Hot support for him also poured out, with more than 1,500 retweets.
In the comments section, he received positive comments such as
- "Only One China."
- "Long live the motherland."
- Long live the one China."
READ MORE: EVERGLOW Yiren Draws Mixed Reactions for Not Doing Korean New Year Greetings
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Written by Eunice Dawson
