Are Koreans using parasols racist? Skin health vs. white supremacy debate reignites

People using parasols walk in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on July 23 as a heat wave continues. Yonhap

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A social media influencer’s claim that Asians using parasols are “upholding white supremacy” has reignited debate around the practice of shielding oneself from the sun — a common habit in many Asian countries meant to protect skin health.

With heat waves continuing across Korea, consumer interest in parasols — or sun umbrellas — has surged. Sales of umbrellas and parasols at Emart rose about 25 percent from July 12–14 to July 19–21. Online shopping platform 11st also reported a 42 percent increase in parasol sales during the same period.

What’s notable is that more men are joining the trend. A search for “men’s parasol” on Korean web portals returns over 40,000 results. The gendered image of parasols has softened to the point that the National Institute of the Korean Language recently updated its dictionary definition, removing the phrase “used mainly by women.”

TikTok content creator claims parasols are rooted in racism

Amid this growing popularity, a video titled “Asians afraid of being dark” was recently uploaded to TikTok. In it, a Black female TikToker questions the widespread use of parasols among Asians to avoid sun exposure.

“Someone needs to explain to me why Asians are so afraid of the sun,” she says in the video. “It’s not that bad if you go a little darker.”

She continues, “You know the little differences in like shades that they notice in between each other, other people don’t notice that. Other races, we don’t notice if this person is lighter or darker.”

“You all need to let go of whatever white supremacy thing you got going on,” she added.

Experts: It’s about protecting skin from cancer, not color

Contrary to the claim, most people who use parasols or sunscreen do so to protect their skin — not out of fear of tanning. Medical experts stress that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a well-established cause of skin cancer, as it damages the DNA in skin cells.

“Other risk factors include radiation exposure, immune suppression, chronic ulcers and arsenic exposure, but UV radiation is the most representative risk,” said Dr. Cho Sung-jin, a dermatologist at Seoul National University Hospital. “If you're concerned about skin cancer, sun protection should be part of your routine. When outdoors, apply sunscreen every two hours and use a parasol.”

In fact, parasols sold in Korea are legally required to block at least 85 percent of UV rays. Dark-colored parasols are especially effective.

Parasols make a comeback in the US

This sun protection trend is no longer limited to Asia. Americans, too, are now embracing parasols as a must-have summer item, especially as record heat waves sweep across the country.

In the U.S., parasols fell out of fashion by the late 1990s, as hats and functional clothing became the main tools for UV protection. But with recent scorching temperatures, parasols — once seen as a cultural symbol of Asia — are now enjoying a resurgence.

The New York Post recently ran an article titled “UV umbrellas are the coolest trend in sun protection,” reporting that more Americans are turning to parasols as hats and handheld fans prove ineffective in extreme heat.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top healthcare and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.