Hanfu Nationalism: The Case of Liu Zhen, a Korean Singer Accused of Cultural Appropriation133

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of Chinese netizens accusing Korean celebrities of cultural appropriation, particularly with regard to the traditional Chinese clothing known as hanfu. One of the most high-profile cases of this is the controversy surrounding the Korean singer Liu Zhen, who was accused of stealing Chinese culture after wearing a hanfu-style dress at a concert in 2018.

The controversy over Liu Zhen's hanfu dress sparked a heated debate on Chinese social media, with many netizens expressing anger and indignation. They accused Liu Zhen of cultural appropriation and claimed that she was trying to pass off hanfu as her own culture. Some netizens even went so far as to threaten to boycott her concerts and albums.

In response to the controversy, Liu Zhen's agency released a statement saying that she had not intended to offend anyone and that she had simply been inspired by the beauty of hanfu. They also pointed out that Liu Zhen had been respectful of Chinese culture and had not made any claims that hanfu was Korean.

However, many Chinese netizens were not satisfied with this explanation. They argued that Liu Zhen had still appropriated Chinese culture without giving proper credit and that her actions were disrespectful. The controversy eventually led to Liu Zhen being banned from performing in China.

The case of Liu Zhen is just one example of a larger trend of Chinese nationalism online. In recent years, there has been a growing backlash against the perceived appropriation of Chinese culture by other countries, particularly South Korea. This backlash has been fueled by a number of factors, including the rise of Chinese nationalism, the increasing popularity of Chinese culture abroad, and the perceived threat to Chinese sovereignty from South Korea.

The controversy over Liu Zhen's hanfu dress is a complex one with no easy answers. On the one hand, it is understandable that Chinese netizens would be upset about the perceived appropriation of their culture. On the other hand, it is important to remember that cultural exchange is a two-way street and that it is impossible to completely prevent the influence of other cultures.

Ultimately, the best way to resolve this issue is through dialogue and understanding. Chinese netizens need to be more open to the idea of cultural exchange and to understand that other cultures can also be inspired by Chinese culture. South Korean celebrities, on the other hand, need to be more respectful of Chinese culture and to avoid making claims that could be seen as appropriative.

By working together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding world where different cultures can coexist and learn from each other.

2025-02-04

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