Jang Wonyoung, who was recently criticized by Chinese netizens, is now a topic of debate for Korean netizens as well.
Recently, IVE member Jang Wonyoung attended an event of jewelry brand Fred in Paris, France. In a later vlog published on the YouTuber channel of Vogue Korea, the female idol revealed that she wore a phoenix hairpin to represent Korea.
Jang Wonyoung’s attempt to promote Korean culture via her accessory choice quickly earned her praise from the Korean public. However, according to the Chinese media outlet NetEase, Chinese netizens are displeased, even claiming that the phoenix hairpin comes from China, and what Jang Wonyoung’s doing can be considered “culture theft”.
They also cited the angry reactions of Chinese netizens, who said, “Isn’t she stealing our traditional culture?”, “This is an intolerable problem,” and “If she didn’t know that phoenix hairpin was a Chinese item, she should have corrected and apologized.”
In addition, the media mentioned old rumors of Jang Wonyoung having Chinese origins as if those were true, saying, “If Jang Wonyoung originates from China, then there is no way she would not know that the phoenix hairpin is Chinese. Yet she said that the hairpin is Korean, she forgot the basics of the history and culture of her original country.”
In the face of these criticisms, however, Korean netizens are completely on Jang Wonyoung’s side. According to them, the phoenix hairpin, known as “Bongjam” in Korean, is a traditional Korean accessory, often complemented by the dragon hairpin (Yongjam), as well as the flower, bird, bat, and butterfly hairpins (Tuljam). All of these are traditionally used by women from prestigious families during the Joseon Dynasty, they said.
Finally, the Korean jewelry brand NASCHENKA – which is behind Jang Wonyoung’s hairpin, also emphasized that the pin represented the “Eastern beauty” and a “traditional hair accessory of Korea”.
Source: FB
