BLACKPINK's Hanoi concerts back on after controversy over South China Sea map

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Sat, December 9, 2023 | 08:18

K-pop

BLACKPINK's Hanoi concerts back on after controversy over South China Sea map

Posted : 2023-07-26 17:04

Updated : 2023-07-27 10:40

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK / Courtesy of YG Entertainment

By Dong Sun-hwa

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will stage its concerts in Hanoi as planned following the controversy over its organizer's use of a map with the "nine-dash line" which indicates China's territorial claims to the South China Sea.

The People's Council of Hanoi recently permitted the quartet to hold its concerts at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on July 29-30, according to Vietnamese media outlets, Tuesday. The authorization came shortly after some Vietnamese people launched a boycott against the group's shows over its Beijing-based concert organizer, iMe Entertainment's use of the disputed map on a promotional poster shared on its website earlier this month.

Adopted from Chinese maps in the 1940s, the nine-dash line ― also known as the "U-shaped line" or "cow's tongue" ― signifies Beijing's claim over approximately 90 percent of the South China Sea. South East Asian countries neighboring China, including Vietnam, rejects such a claim, with Vietnam calling it "baseless."

Pham Thu Hang, the spokesperson for the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during a press briefing on July 6 that the promotion and usage of products or publications featuring the nine-dash line in Vietnam is in "violation of the law." Vietnam's culture ministry also launched an investigation to address the issue.

IMe Entertainment issued an apology and got rid of the map.

"We are aware of the need to respect the sovereignty and culture of all countries where iMe is present," iMe CEO Brian Chow said, adding that the company had quickly reviewed and committed to replacing images deemed inappropriate to the people of Vietnam.

sunhwadong@koreatimes.co.kr