Pop star Anne-Marie apologizes over Rising Sun flag controversy
British singer Anne-Marie took a picture with English celebrities Ant and Dec, who wore the bandanas with a Rising Sun flag. Capture from Twitter (@itvtakeaway)
By Dong Sun-hwa
British pop star Anne-Marie apologized Sunday (local time) on behalf of two English celebrities who wore bandanas with a Rising Sun flag, an emblem of Japan's wartime colonization and aggression. The Japanese imperial military used the flag during World War II (1939-45).
British pop star Anne-Marie. Courtesy of Warner Music Korea
The singer, who boasts a solid fan following in Korea thanks to her hit “2002,” appeared on ITV's variety show “Saturday Night Takeaway” hosted by Ant and Dec on Saturday. On the program, the hosts staged a martial arts performance wearing the controversial headbands and took a photo with Anne-Marie after the show.
After the picture went viral, some online users asked her for feedback, although many claim the hosts ― not the singer ― should be blamed. Nevertheless, the British star apologized on Twitter.
“I sincerely apologize to all those who were affected and hurt by my appearance last night on a UK TV,” she wrote. “I want you to know that I had nothing to do with the costumes on this sketch. Unfortunately, education on this part of the history wasn't done and I am also hurt by the pain this signifies for so many people.”
She added: “Our team is talking to the TV station, working on taking down the footage, so that it does not cause any more pain.”
Professor Seo Kyoung-duk, a top Korea promoter, said on his Instagram Monday that her apology was the result of netizens' reasonable protests.
Anne-Marie debuted in 2015 and has a string of hits including “FRIENDS” (2018). In 2019, she played a free concert in Seoul.