BLACKPINK member Jisoo garners flack for repeatedly speaking Chinese during a live stream to promote PUBG. Keep on reading for all the details.
BLACKPINK Jisoo Criticized for Repeatedly Saying 'Jia You' During Live Stream
On August 13, the BLACKPINK girls appeared in a live stream to promote the video game PUBG. There, the girls were seen playing PUBG with a professional e-sports team and communicating to fans. While BLINKs enjoyed watching the live stream, many were upset that the group's lead vocal and visual Jisoo repeatedly spoke Chinese during the event.
While playing, Jisoo would often look at the camera and say "Jia you," which is China's version of "fighting!" or "hwaiting!" Of course, this is a small act of fan service, but many were still upset that Jisoo took the time to "please Chinese fans."
Although the show is also broadcast live on a Chinese application and the game itself is produced by a Chinese company, Jisoo still received many negative comments from viewers. Many are stating that Jisoo herself is Korean, and the live stream had a Chinese translator on-site, so she didn't need to speak Chinese.
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People also pointed out that though the live stream promoted a Chinese game, the team she and the rest of BLACKPINK were playing with are Korean. Additionally, the live stream was also being broadcast on a Korean YouTube channel, and the player she was playing alongside is also Korean. For these reasons, many found it difficult to understand why the female idol chose to speak Chinese in front of the camera.
Jisoo and the rest of BLACKPINK were slammed for constantly giving attention to their Chinese fans, with some even saying that they would not have the level of success they do now without their Chinese fan base. In addition, people have pointed out that a large chunk of BLACKPINK's album purchases stem from Chinese fans, leading many to claim BLACKPINK was sucking up to the Chinese market.
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BLINKs defended the idol, however, saying that it only makes sense that Jisoo would speak in Chinese since the main broadcast was on a Chinese app with millions of Chinese fans watching. Furthermore, they note that when K-pop artists appeared on Japanese or American shows, they speak Japanese and English without receiving any drawbacks, but it is suddenly wrong when it comes to China.
BLACKPINK Accused of Sucking Up to Chinese Market
This is not the first time BLACKPINK has been involved in a scandal involving China. At the latter end of 2020, the "How You Like That" singers were criticized for not recording a video when winning an award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMAs), an awards ceremony from South Korea, but were able to record a thank-you video when they received an award at China's Boom Boom Awards.
The group was criticized for indulging Chinese fans and looking down on their Korean fans with this action.
Additionally, their label, YG Entertainment, invested in the drama "Joseon Exorcist," which was boycotted and ultimately halted due to how it distorted Korean history and used major influences from Chinese culture. Another drama YG Entertainment invested in is "Mr. Queen," which was also criticized for smearing Korean history.
What do you think of the situation?
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Written by Alexa Lewis
