A past performance by RESCENE member Minami has unexpectedly become the subject of heated online debate after footage of her singing the Korean national anthem resurfaced on social media.

While many fans praised the idol’s vocal performance and respect for Korean culture, others questioned whether a foreign member should have been chosen to lead the national anthem at a professional sporting event, sparking a wider discussion about nationality, representation, and nationalism.

The controversy traces back to a KBO League baseball game held last year between the KT Wiz and the Kiwoom Heroes.

During the event, RESCENE performed the Korean national anthem before the game. Minami, who is Japanese, took the lead in the performance, becoming one of the first foreign K-pop idols to sing South Korea’s national anthem at a professional Korean baseball game. At the time, many fans and spectators praised her pronunciation, vocal ability, and respectful approach to the performance. The moment was largely viewed positively and attracted little controversy.

The discussion resurfaced after a fan recently shared footage of the performance on X (formerly Twitter), praising Minami’s dedication and effort. As RESCENE’s popularity has continued to grow in recent months, the post quickly gained traction and reached a much wider audience than when the performance originally took place.

The renewed attention led to divided reactions among Korean netizens. Many commenters emphasized that Minami delivered the anthem well but questioned why a Japanese member was chosen when the group also includes Korean members who could have performed the role.

Some argued that the national anthem should ideally be represented by a Korean citizen, while others saw no issue with a foreign idol singing the song, particularly given her effort and respect toward the performance.

The debate soon expanded beyond the performance itself, becoming a broader discussion about national identity and cultural inclusion. Critics argued that having a Japanese member lead the Korean national anthem felt inappropriate, despite acknowledging her singing ability. Others compared the situation to hypothetical scenarios involving Korean performers singing another country’s national anthem.

Supporters, however, pushed back against the criticism, noting that Minami performed the Korean anthem not Japan’s and did so with sincerity and professionalism.

Many fans also pointed out that K-pop has become increasingly global, with foreign idols playing important roles in Korean entertainment while learning the language and culture.

Some commenters argued that appreciating and respecting Korean culture should matter more than nationality when evaluating such performances.

As RESCENE continues to establish itself among the fifth generation of K-pop girl groups, the resurfaced performance has become another example of how older content can attract fresh scrutiny once an artist gains a larger audience.

While opinions remain divided, many fans continue to defend Minami, highlighting the positive reception she received at the time and emphasizing the respect she showed while performing the Korean national anthem.

Sources: Koreaboo