At a fan signing event, EVERGLOW Yiren drew attention for not bowing to fans as a New Year greeting. Immediately after the clip, the female star received huge praises from Chinese netizens, and at the same time, criticism from Korean internet users.

In particular, the multinational six-member girl group EVERGLOW held a fan signing event on the 2nd. During the event, five out of six Korean nationals give a big bow to their fans especially to "Forever" (the group's fandom name) as a New Year's greeting.

However, Wang Yiren or also known as Yiren, a Chinese member, attracted attention as she gave a Chinese-style greeting instead of bowing and kneeling.

EVERGLOW Yiren Praised by Chinese for Her Actions at the Fan Signing Event

As a result, a photo of the situation was posted on Weibo on the 3rd, which is the largest Chinese social media, and Chinese netters were quick to praise Yiren for her action.

"Chinese people don't kneel recklessly," and "Wang Yiren did well," some commented.

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The post also amassed hundreds of comments and more than 16,000 "likes. "Since then, there have been a lot of hashtags saying, "Wang Yiren, Chinese people don't kneel." In fact, as of the 6th, the hashtag was read by more than 2 million users and continues to become popular among the Chinese.

According to locals from China, it would have been a big deal among Chinese if Yiren also give a "big bow" since it is a tradition among them to only kneel to heaven, earth and parents.

EVERGLOW Yiren Draws Criticism from Koreans for Not Bowing as a New Year Greeting

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Opposite to how the Chinese reacted, some Korean internet users expressed their frustrations to Yiren given that she's an idol working in Korea, despite being Chinese.

Korean netizens pointed out, "How do you do activities, saying you don't even like Korean New Year's greetings?"

Even domestic web commenters responded on the 6th and agreed that Yiren's action is disappointing.

"When you come to Rome, you have to follow Roman law," "The story of not having minimal courtesy," “It’s not that you bow down by mistake, but why are you promoting in Korea if you don’t like Korean-style New Year’s greetings?” and “You're ignoring Korean culture.”

There were also opinions such as "It is a cultural difference" and "The meaning of the temple is different between China and Korea."

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Written by Eunice Dawson