The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently facing flak from because of NCT DREAM. This coming July 31, 2021 KST, a special concert in line with the anti-racism campaign will be held by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
The concert, called "Live Together," is an online concert as part of a joint campaign by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNESCO, with the intention to unite people against racism and promote the solidarity and embracement of people.
'Live Together' concert lineup
In line with that, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced their anti-racism concert's artist lineup, featuring familiar and popular faces such as MONSTA X, Ailee, Dynamic Duo, Brave Girls, NCT DREAM, Tiker JK, and more.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Draws Flak for Including NCT DREAM in Artist Lineup
With the news of the artist lineup for the "Live Together" concert, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently receiving criticisms due to the inclusion of NCT DREAM in the concert, particularly for including the group's Chinese members Renjun and Chenle.
Previously, Renjun and Chenle had congratulated the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in celebration of their 100th anniversary since their founding in 1921.
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Numerous Chinese idols who are active in South Korea and the K-Pop industry had also offered their congratulations on the Chinese social media platform, Weibo.
Renjun and Chenle's open support for China's communist party did not sit well with Koreans, who have consistently been opposed to the Chinese Communist Party, especially after China is being accused of committing genocide and forced labor against the Uyghur minority since 2014.
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As the "Live Together" concert aims to promote anti-racism, netizens raised their concerns as to why Renjun and Chenle were invited to join the campaign despite their support for the Chinese Communist Party who have been actively oppressing Uyghurs because of their ethnic and racial backgrounds.
In addition,online users have also started filing official complaints to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking for NCT DREAM to be removed from the anti-racism campaign's lineup.
Neither the Ministry of Affairs nor NCT DREAM's label, SM Entertainment, have commented on the issue.
Meanwhile, "Live Together" has been a campaign of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNESCO since earlier this year, which was designed as a response to the increase in racism and hate crimes against Asians following COVID-19.
Numerous public figures and celebrities have participated in the campaign on social media, such as NCT's Johnny, Yoon Ji Sung, Kim Jae Hwan, actors Ahn Sung Ki, Kim Hye Soo, Kim So Yeon, and more.
What are your thoughts on the issue?
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Written by Robyn Joan
