K-pop girl group NewJeans is seen in this photo provided by ADOR.
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — K-pop rookie NewJeans has become a target of Chinese netizens after appearing in a video promoting the outstanding features of Korean traditional paper, or “hanji.”
The quintet appeared in a video produced and released by the culture ministry last week to promote hanji.
The five members talked about hanji’s high durability and functionality as they introduced the long history of Korean traditional paper. They also tried making the paper themselves.
Despite the fact that the video focused on introducing hanji as a Korean tradition, rather than the technology used to make it, netizens assumed to be from China expressed frustration against the girl group on social media.
“Hanji is an outrageous concept,” one commentator said. “Paper-making technology was invented in China before it spread worldwide.”
“When Wang Xizhi (an ancient Chinese calligrapher) was alive, you and your pao cai people did not even exist,” another Chinese Internet user said.
“Pao cai” refers to a side dish made in China’s Sichuan province with fermented vegetables. Some Chinese people also erroneously use the term to refer to kimchi.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
