19-year-old Filipina Tiktoker Bella Poarch went under fire recently after posting a Tiktok video which showed her left arm tattoo depicting the Rising Sun Flag of Japan.
For the Japanese, flying the The Rising Sun Flag is an effort to cleanse the history of Imperial Japan’s aggression during World War II. It appears in the promotional literature and on the websites of groups such as the Zaitokukai, whose members march with signs reading, “Koreans should be massacred!” which up to this day remains offensive for Koreans.
@bellapoarchSo I decided to make a dance for this sound & I’m not even good at dancing🤣♬ The Banjo Beat, Pt. 1 – Ricky Desktop
That being the case, Korean Netizens took offense at the Filipina’s tattoo, and cleared up on why it is offensive and problematic.
In reaction to the issue about her, Bella posted a TIktok video of her last September 6 stating “I will have the tattoo removed or do cover up. I did not know the history behind this tattoo and I will educate others about it.”
@bellapoarch##greenscreen Here is a photo of my arm tattoo. I love Korea🥺😭 I would never do anything to hurt anyone.♬ The Banjo Beat, Pt. 1 – Ricky Desktop
Some Netizens of Korea have expressed their feelings politely. However, others attacked Bella with racial slurs that insulted not only her but also other Filipinos.
In reaction to this, Filipinos all over the world tweeted the hashtags #CancelKorea and #ApologizeKorea to draw attention to the racism as well as to address the relationship between the Philippines and South Korea. The hashtags were trending in the Philippines this week.
Many Filipinos who are K-Pop fans put aside their fandom in order to put their fellow countrymen and nation first and express their love and gratitude for the country.
Some Filipino twitter users are posting their experiences and opinions about discrimination and racism from the Koreans. Here are some of the tweets.
#cancelkorea We, Filipinos, have been fan of you guys. We adore your cultures, your musics and your talents. In return, you’re just going to treat us like garbages? We don’t deserve this type of treatment. ☹️
— CuteAndSmollButTerribol🔥 (@BeginnerMeh) September 8, 2020
#cancelkorea is trending because some Koreans mock Filipinos and Philippines as a country. As much as I love my biases in Korea, i’m more than willing to put down my light stick and proudly wave my flag.
— Gabb🇵🇭 (@_gabbgabb_) September 8, 2020
POP! Creator Community / Alexandra Del Mundo
