Professor Seo Kyung-duk Slams 'North Star' Controversy Fueled by Illegal Viewing

A controversy has erupted once again targeting K-content, as Chinese netizens are criticizing a line spoken by actress Jun Ji-hyun in the Disney+ drama 'North Star'.

The disputed dialogue reads: "Why does China prefer war? Because a nuclear bomb could fall on the border."

This has led to accusations within China of insulting the country, resulting in the cancellation or suspension of some advertisements featuring Jun Ji-hyun, who is a spokesperson for several brands.

However, a key point of contention is that Disney+ is not officially available in China, leading many to point out that the criticism is based on illegally accessed content.

Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University strongly criticized the situation, stating, "While Chinese netizens are free to express their opinions on dramas, raising issues about content viewed on a platform not officially serviced in their country is essentially based on illegal viewing." He added, "It's like stealing someone else's content and then finding fault with it."

Professor Seo further elaborated, "If they truly had issues with the dialogue, they should have protested to the production company or Disney+ directly. As K-content gains global attention, Chinese netizens seem to be filled with great apprehension and are resorting to indiscriminate attempts to tarnish its reputation."

'North Star' follows former diplomat Moon-joo (Jun Ji-hyun) and a mysterious agent San-ho (Kang Dong-won) as they confront an international conspiracy. The drama has quickly become embroiled in a China-initiated controversy shortly after its global release on OTT, highlighting both the high status of K-content and the backlash it sometimes faces.

Professor Seo Kyung-duk is a prominent advocate for Korean culture and history globally. He has been vocal on various international platforms, promoting Korean heritage and addressing historical inaccuracies. His proactive stance in defending K-content against what he deems unfair criticism has earned him recognition among international fans.