Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
#CancelKorea? Why it’s trending and what Filipinos are saying
#CancelKorea? Why it’s trending and what Filipinos are saying
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 09, 2020 06:19 PM PHT
An artwork depicting a light stick in support of the Philippines, by Twitter user @artbyciri, went viral on Wednesday, as the hashtag #CancelKorea continued to gain traction. The concert light stick has become a symbol of K-pop fandoms worldwide. Instagram: @cgazzingan
MANILA — Overnight and for most of Wednesday, the hashtag #CancelKorea has been atop Twitter trends in the Philippines, with Filipinos expressing disappointment over racist remarks supposedly from Koreans on another social app, TikTok.
The row started last weekend, when TikTok star Bella Poarch, a Hawaii-based Filipino, posted a clip of her dancing, exposing a prominent Rising Sun tattoo on her arm.
The tattoo drew criticisms, apparently from Korean TikTok users. One asked Bella whether she knew the meaning of the Rising Sun symbol.
“I was inspired by Jhene Aiko,” Bella replied, referring to the American singer who once reportedly had the same tattoo, until she covered it with a depiction of a dragon.
In comments on Bella’s video, apparently Korean accounts resorted to name-calling, referring not only to her but Filipinos in general as poor and uneducated, going by now-viral screenshots. Others used “dark” as a derogatory term.
“I’m very sorry if my tattoo offends you. I love Korea. Please forgive me,” Bella wrote in a Wednesday update, adding she intends to have it removed or covered.
“I did not know the history behind this tattoo and I will educate others about it,” she said. “I only found out, when Koreans told me about it on TikTok.”
The centuries-old Rising Sun symbol — a red sunburst with 16 rays — was used by Japan’s military during World War II. At the time, and decades prior starting in 1905, Korea was under Japanese rule.
As recently as September 2019, the government of South Korea demanded Japan to ban any use of the Rising Sun symbol during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the sporting event which has since been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Japan, in response, said it had no plans of prohibiting the banner.
South Korea’s demand stems back to its bitter wartime history with Japan, according to a BBC explainer in January. A portion of it reads:
“The Japanese rule was one of economic exploitation and hundreds of thousands of Koreans were pressed into forced labor to aid the Japanese expansion in other parts of Asia.
“The brutal regime also saw thousands of girls and young women forced to work in military brothels set up for Japanese soldiers before and during World War Two.
“Known euphemistically as ‘comfort women,’ they were forced into sexual slavery. Aside from Korean victims, the Japanese army also forced girls from Taiwan, China and the Philippines into the brothels.
“Many South Koreans associate the rising sun flag with a long list of war crimes and oppression -- and see Japan’s continued use of the symbol as emblematic of Tokyo’s failure to address its past.”
The complicated ties of South Korea and Japan became an educational topic among Filipinos on social media Wednesday, as many wondered why #CancelKorea has been trending.
The predominant sentiment, however, was disappointment with the uncalled-for racist remarks, with many Filipinos bringing up South Korea’s relationship with the Philippines, and achievements of Filipinos internationally.
Some said they were willing to put down their lightsticks — a symbol of support for K-pop acts — and hold up the Philippine flag instead, while others pointed out the supposed hypocrisy of Filipinos who may also have racist behaviors.
I'm proud to be a kpop and kdrama fan, but for now let me put down my lightstick and raise my own flag. Some koreans may have insulted us filipinos and our country, hence we should not curse on them and show RESPECT that they haven't showed #cancelkorea#ApologizeToFilipinospic.twitter.com/U2nZFsXOX7
Lol, you all have the audacity to trend the "#cancelkorea" when you guys are doing the same also😂 Them calling you guys "dark skinned" and you guys calling them "Plastic Faces" Nothing changed you are a Racist itself! pic.twitter.com/6hXVe4gixC
I admit that since hs I'm an avid fan of Korean stars. I do respect their culture, language, people and their talents. We're helping you, giving our full respect but in return you did this to us? Please. Respect us too. 🙏#cancelkorea#ApologizeToFilipinospic.twitter.com/C5o7JIp1bL
#cancelkorea Please do remember that 10th Battalion Filipino Soldiers' hold on Yultong was the turning point of the Korean War when South Korea was losing against communist-backed North Korea.
Without the Philippines, SK would've been a communist country by now. Be grateful SK! pic.twitter.com/1CxfOTktaN
This is my Lolo, a Korean war veteran. He was so happy when he visited South Korea again last year and got chance to offer flowers to our fallen heroes. Filipino soldiers died for your country. REMEMBER THAT. 💯 #cancelkoreapic.twitter.com/C55pxWyQxH
FLEX KO LANG LOLO KO. HE IS A KOREAN WAR VETERAN. FILIPINO SOLDIERS SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES JUST TO PROTECT YOUR COUNTRY. BE GRATEFUL☺️#cancelkoreapic.twitter.com/13QENkTo2v
I came across with this photo on the Facebook and when I read it, I felt so proud being a Filipino. This photo is a screenshot of an article from an Arab newspaper mainly talking about the contribution of Filipinos in the world’s labor force.#cancelkoreapic.twitter.com/jECdxUtSuK
I love korea because i’m a kpop fan but that doesn’t mean i’m going to shut my mouth about this issue. we, filipinos, are hospitable, nicest, friendly and we know our rights and dignity because that’s what our ancestors had been fighting!! #cancelkorea#ApologizeToFilipinospic.twitter.com/VVQNiVoNCU
Toxic koreans be calling us Filipinos 'Uneducated' when they're the ones who needed to leave their country and hire some tutors just to learn English, meanwhile here in the Philippines, even a 5 year old kid can speak fluent English just by watching Peppa Pig.#cancelkoreapic.twitter.com/3prErf9GxP
Koreans calling Filipinos ugly without knowing that Philippines is rank #2 when it comes of having beautiful people. Philippines have already won 4x in Miss Universe pageant while Miss Korea can't even enter Top 5. lol #cancelkoreapic.twitter.com/U8Wd1mOZYI
Wait what? You koreans calling fililipinos ugly? black? uneducated? lol look at her Skelly Ivy florida Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Candidate known as black barbie doll, full blooded filipina, with no surgery. so who's ugly now? pic.twitter.com/6zqnBDTOSN
They call us uneducated, short, poor people. This picture represents the true beauties of filipina who raised our flag and beat other countries by beauty and brain. SO WE SHOULD BE PROUD! ♥️#cancelkoreapic.twitter.com/XF7Aiqa5Jt
MOMOLAND didn't do a lot of charities here in our country to be left unappreciated. Let's not forget how they're the first Korean Group who raised our flag in their MV and even wore 'barong saya' just to show how thankful they are to filipinos. #cancelkoreapic.twitter.com/9yrh7Ba3Nc
This is Sandara Park pure blooded Korean she stayed here for 13 years and i salute her because she always defending Philippines against korean's why is she defending Philippines?because she knows about the life and traits of pinoy and she knows that y'all are wrong.#CancelKoreapic.twitter.com/kemNnPndSH
ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.
Our website is made possible by displaying online
advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting
us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
Our website is made possible by displaying online
advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting
us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
