Jang Wonyoung Is Being Criticized by the Chinese Media and Here's Why

Jang Wonyoung

recently revealed that she participated in styling her outfits when she traveled to France to represent luxury brand Fred at the Paris Fashion Week. Korean netizens were especially touched when Jang Wonyoung explained that she chose to wear traditional Korean hairpins from the brand "Naschenka" to show off the beauty of Korea.

원영이가 의상 하나부터 열까지 다 같이 스타일링 참여했대..
비녀도 파리에 한국의 멋을 알리고 싶어서 일부러 한국에서부터 갖고왔대🥹🥹
너무 기특해 우리아기 pic.twitter.com/mqfrO2Rj3g

— 김두부🍎🌊 (@kim_tofu_) October 16, 2022

Korean netizen's were really proud of Jang Wonyoung, with most of them pointing out how pretty her face and heart is, and how she should be a role model to most celebrities who represent Korea in international events.

Unfortunately, not everyone is too happy with Jang Wonyoung's remarks.

China's NetEase reported on Jang Wonyoung's phoenix-shaped hairpin (Phoenix Baljam), which was recently featured in Vogue Korea YouTube Vlog, and claimed 'cultural extortion.' They said, "We did not expect for Jang Wonyoung to shout out that she was wearing Korean style."

They further argued that the phoenix and dragon are traditional and symbolic patterns of China, and that "There are hairpins in Korea, but the hairpins with the phoenix pattern are unique to China."

There were also uproar among Chinese netizens as they commented, "Isn't it stealing our traditional culture?", "This is an intolerable problem," and "I might have corrected and apologized if I had not known that phoenix balsam is a Chinese food."

Moreover, the Chinese media company touched on the topic of Wonyoung's rumored heritage, "If Jang Wonyoung is of Chinese descent, then she should know that the phoenix hairpin is Chinese." They added, "Our history and traditional culture are very old, so we welcome learning, but we absolutely do not tolerate theft."

Previously, rumors surfaced that Wonyoung is of Chinese descent after a Youtuber's claims . Neither Wonyoung or her agency, Starship Entertainment, directly confirmed or denied the rumors. However, in response, Starship Entertainment filed multiple legal complaints last month on the grounds of spreading false information and malicious slander.

Starship Entertainment has yet to release any statement about the Chinese Media's comments on Jang Wonyoung.


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