Last September 24, SEVENTEEN released their teasers for their upcoming mini album “SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN.” The teasers feature the bright and sunny cities such as Paris and New York. In the said teasers, balloon chamomile flowers can be seen seen smiling and floating around Times Square and the Eiffel Tower. The teasers also feature famous locations in Seoul and Tokyo. The balloon can be seen in their album art.
SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) 11th Mini Album 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN'
🎈𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲! #Paris#SEVENTEEN #세븐틴#SEVENTEENTH_HEAVEN pic.twitter.com/DZfQczD9nK
— 세븐틴(SEVENTEEN) (@pledis_17) September 23, 2023
SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) 11th Mini Album 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN'
🎈𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲! #NewYork#SEVENTEEN #세븐틴#SEVENTEENTH_HEAVEN pic.twitter.com/GGd97tyVJC
— 세븐틴(SEVENTEEN) (@pledis_17) September 23, 2023
Although the first two teasers had a warm appreciation, the Beijing teaser that was based in the Great Wall of China did not sit well with many, especially with Chinese fans. Chinese fans have expressed their concern pointing out that the teaser was disrespectful. The chamomile flowers were similar to white chrysanthemums that are often used as a symbol of grief or mourning and are usually seen at funerals or on gravesites.
C-carats complained on weverse. the flowers look like white chrysanthemum which symbolizes death and used in funeral. 2) they're having their National Day in a week. they think it's isnt appropriate for them to show Great Wall of China as it has a huge impact on their Nation
— 🌙🐱mahek06 ☁️🌼 (@mahek0609) September 23, 2023
It seems that many people don't understand why Pledis can't use the Great Wall… Because the white chrysanthemum in China is used to commemorate the dead people, at the same time, China's national anthem one of the lyrics is "build our flesh and blood into our new Great Wall",
— ·春霧· (@Synixia_) September 23, 2023
do they really not double check??? kpop companies really need a QA department lol
— azn_hyunnie (@azn_hyunnie) September 24, 2023
People in the comments saying that it's not offensive but if you ask them the history of that wall they won't be able to talk. Y'all need to stop talking about subjects you don't know just because y'all want to protect your favs
— Harly's Aizen⪩ ⪨ | I AM THE EDGE (@Everythingz27) September 24, 2023
all right then, modify it asap and release a new video about Beijing, although our Chinese carats rlly mad at this but we're still looking forward of new video of 'SEVENTEEN RIGHT here' in Beijing
— Bluuuucy=( (@itsBluueC) September 23, 2023
I’m glad y’all deleted it and addressed the issue 👍🏻 I think it is also important for you to do research to avoid these types of problems in the future
— Olivia • seventeenth heaven (@tinymoonbee_) September 23, 2023
The band’s team took immediate action and deleted the teaser from their social media accounts.
PLEDIS Entertainment issued a statement on September 24 and made things clear with the deleted teaser. The following is the company’s statement:
“Hello.
This is PLEDIS Entertainment.
We are making an announcement regarding the Beijing teaser video for SEVENTEEN’s 11th mini album “SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN.”
On September 23 at 2:14 p.m. in Chinese local time, we released a “SVT RIGHT HERE” Beijing version teaser video as part of our promotional content for SEVENTEEN’s 11th mini album “SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN.”
The Beijing version was produced to show chamomile flowers floating above the Great Wall of China, a cultural heritage site that represents China, but after the video was released, we received criticism from fans that our understanding and respect of the Great Wall of China had been lacking.
Therefore, we immediately deleted the Beijing version video. We apologize for making the fans uncomfortable, and we will be more careful in the future.
We will make an effort to create content that fans from many different countries, regions, and cultures can all enjoy together.”
SEVENTEEN will be making their comeback on October 23 with the release of their mini album SEVENTH HEAVEN. SEVENTEEN RIGHT HERE@EVERYWHERE is the title of their campaign for their album that aims to bring people from all religions and cultures together.
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