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| Singer Lee Hyo-ri said, "How about 'Mao'?" Capture from MBC |
By Dong Sun-hwa
Many Chinese online users are criticizing Korean singer Lee Hyo-ri for "belittling" Chinese communist revolutionary Mao Zedong (1893-1976), also known as Chairman Mao.
Lee, who became a member of new K-pop girl group "Refund Expedition" through MBC's reality show "Hangout with Yoo," appeared on the program Saturday and discussed her musical activities with host comedian Yoo Jae-suk.
On the show, Yoo plays Jimmy Yoo, CEO of an entertainment company that represents Refund Expedition ― comprising Lee, Hwasa of K-pop band MAMAMOO and rapper Jessi and soloist Uhm Jung-hwa.
When the two were talking about Lee's stage name, the singer said, "What about a Chinese name? We can go global with it. How about 'Mao'?"
Her remark has offended numerous Chinese netizens. They claim Lee "ridiculed" their late leader Mao Zedong, who was chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. His theories and polices are collectively known as "Maoism."
"Why do you play a joke with a great man of another country?" a Chinese online user commented on Lee's Instagram, which has been bombarded with more than 100,000 negative comments over two days.
Another wrote, "Learn to respect the others."
But many Koreans say that Lee did not taunt anyone and that the Chinese stretched the meaning of her words.
"Lee did not use any belittling terms, but merely talked about her stage name," a Korean netizen wrote.
"Is Mao a surname only for Mao Zedong?" reads another comment.
The singer has not commented on the issue.
Lee recently wrapped up her activities as a member of one-off K-pop group SSAK3, which was also created through Hangout with Yoo. The act, consisting of comedian Yoo Jae-suk, singer-actor Rain and Lee, ruled music streaming charts with the track "Summer Sea Again" released on July 25.
Lee began her singing career as a member of the girl group Fin.K.L in 1998 with the album "Blue Rain." She made her solo debut in 2003 and rose to stardom with a smash-hit "10Minutes." She also featured in several popular shows including JTBC's "Hyori's Bed & Breakfast (Hyori's Homestay)" in 2017-18.
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