South Korean media outlets are reporting that TWICE's Tzuyu will receive a salary increase following a recent controversy that led to major criticisms of JYP Entertainment's treatment towards the 16-year-old singer.
Yonhap, South Korea's largest news agency, reports that Tzuyu is expected earn an excess of the $1.6 million USD she's earned so far in her career as a member of TWICE. Tzuyu's popularity surged after Taiwanese anti-independence singer Huang An drew attention to Tzuyu waving a Taiwanese flag on Korean television, allegedly as a way to promote an independent Taiwan.
Tzuyu and JYP Entertainment offered a formal apology, while Chinese state media declared that there was no reason for an upset.
China's state newspaper declared that a Taiwanese person waving a Taiwanese flag is within the realm of the current political relationship between mainland China (People's Republic of China) and Taiwan (Republic of China), and that Tzuyu did not appear to be promoting independence.
The situation grew as Tzuyu's alleged anti-mainland action became a popular topic ahead of Taiwan's presidential elections last week.
JYP Entertainment, TWICE's label, was criticized after releasing a video, prior to China's declaration, featuring Tzuyu reading an apology where she declared "China is One."
The Economist surmised that "it seems likely Ms. Chou was pushed in front of the camera to smooth ruffled Chinese feathers" ahead of JYP Entertainment facing a crisis as Chinese activities by TWICE and other JYP acts were cancelled.
While the situation has died down since China's statement that Tzuyu acted within accepted norms by the Asian superpower, the TWICE member's sudden media presence has led to growing popularity.
"She has not planned for the sudden surge in fame, but if she could weather this storm, she will be on the way to becoming a shining star," said JYP Entertainment.
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Tamar Herman is a multi-media journalist and the co-founder of KultScene. She is a freelance writer and copy editor, and has written for MTV Iggy, Noisey, and Paste Magazine.
