Jun Ji Hyun Faces Widespread Backlash in China Over Controversial Drama Lines

The South Korean drama Tempest, starring acclaimed actress Jun Ji-hyun, has sparked significant controversy in China due to a dialogue line describing China as preferring war, which has been widely perceived as offensive and a distortion of reality by Chinese netizens. The show also faced criticism for its depiction of the Chinese city Dalian as rundown, with the filming location actually being in Hong Kong, further aggravating viewers who felt the portrayal tarnished China's image. These incidents have led to calls for boycotts of Jun Ji-hyun, affecting her brand endorsements, with companies like Piaget and La Mer pulling her advertisements from Chinese e-commerce platforms. The backlash is part of a broader pattern of nationalist responses to Korean content in China, despite Disney+ and other global streaming services not being officially available there. While some fans have defended Jun Ji-hyun, urging calm, the controversy has overshadowed her comeback and raised questions about the cultural sensitivities involved in cross-border media productions. This situation underscores ongoing tensions in cultural exchanges between South Korea and China within the entertainment industry.