As extreme heat grips the globe, parasols have become a common sight among outdoor walkers in Korea. But one TikTok influencer has stirred major controversy by claiming the practice stems from white supremacy — and the internet is not having it.
The video, titled “Asians afraid of being dark” , was recently posted by a Black female TikToker, referred to as “A,” who criticized Asian sun-avoidance habits. In the clip, she questions, “Why are Asians so afraid of getting tan? Someone needs to explain this to me.”
She then added: “Getting a little sun doesn’t make your skin that much darker. Other races can’t even tell the difference. This is white supremacy.”
The bold claim immediately drew backlash online, particularly from Korean and Asian viewers who saw the comment as both uninformed and offensive. Many pointed out that using parasols—or any sun protection—is largely a matter of health and cultural preference, not racial ideology.
Ironically, parasol use is on the rise in the United States as well, especially amid unprecedented heatwaves. According to the New York Post, parasols have recently become a “hot trend” in the U.S., with TikTok hashtags related to sun umbrellas increasing by over 300% year-over-year. Sales of UV-protection umbrellas on platforms like Amazon are also spiking, particularly those rated UPF 50+.
Critics of the original video argue that sun protection should not be racialized: “Using an umbrella in 40°C weather isn’t about supremacy—it’s about not passing out,” one user wrote.
Others defended the right of Asian cultures to maintain beauty standards rooted in history rather than Western ideologies. In Korea, for example, lighter skin has traditionally been associated with social status and is unrelated to Western racial dynamics.
As global temperatures rise, experts predict that practical sun-protection habits like parasol use will continue spreading regardless of origin or race. The controversy serves as a reminder that cultural practices shouldn’t be oversimplified through a single racial lens, especially during a climate crisis.
Daum
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