Everything You Need To Know About The ‘Chinese Bibimbap’ Scandal in Song Joong-ki’s Latest Drama

It appears that popular Korean actor Song Joong Ki is not catching a break.

Two years after going through a highly-publicised divorce, the Descendants of the Sun star is, once again, finding himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

Though this time, it’s not exactly of his own volition.

Everything You Need To Know About The ‘Chinese Bibimbap’ Scandal in Song Joong-ki’s Latest Drama

According to The Straits Times, Korean drama Vincenzo is currently facing rapid backlash in South Korea, after a recent episode showed two lead characters eating instant bimbimbap “from a Chinese brand”.

In the scene, which stems from episode 8 of the drama serial, actors Song Joong-ki and Jeon Yeo-been could be seen eating the rice dish as the camera zooms in on the brand name: Zihaiguo.

Lest you’re unaware, the Chinese self-heating hot pot brand enjoys a stellar reputation in China, and had managed to secure more than $50 million in funds in October last year.

It is, however, not a very common sight in Korea.

Suffice to say; Netizens weren’t exactly satisfied with the broadcaster’s choice of product placement, with some reportedly decrying it as “Chinese appropriation of a beloved Korean dish”.

“What is this Chinese bibimbap product placement? Now they (Chinese) are going to argue that bibimbap is a Chinese dish,” wrote one incensed Netizen, who was far from being alone in their perspective.

“This was so thoughtless of them,” wrote another.

“Amazing, the producers really tried to sell their own country out over 3-400 million won,” one said bluntly.

Cultural Feud

In usual times, this particular bit of product placement may not have ruffled as many feathers as it’s doing now. But the fact remains that these are, in fact, tumultuous times.

And it’s not just because of the pandemic.

According to the news report, China’s state-owned newspaper Global Times had recently claimed that Kimchi is a form of “Paocai” – a Chinese pickled vegetable dish.

The allegation subsequently sparked a cultural feud between both countries.

It is also not the first time that China has claimed a Korean tradition as its own. The conventional Hanbok (conventional Korean clothing), for instance, was alleged to have been China’s property.

The Korean genre of pansori was, too, laid claim to by China.

So, it’s understandable that Koreans would feel a little… sensitive.

Nevertheless, they are generally worried that the International audience would misinterpret bibimbap to be a Chinese delicacy.

Vincenzo is currently streaming on Netflix, a global viewing service.

Breaking Off Of Contract

Apparently, the backlash has led to broadcaster tvN contemplating the notion of breaking off the contract.

According to various news sites, they have reached out to Zihaiguo to discuss the cancelling of contract.

It’s not known whether the move went through.

Initially, tvN was scheduled to air 4 Zihaiguo-related ads in ‘Vincenzo’.

The advertisements were also done with the permission of all involved artistes.

“None of the PPL advertisements were done without the permission of the actors and actresses involved,” one rep of tvN said.

Local Feud

Meanwhile, Singapore has been embroiled in its own feud of late.

Though rather than cultural conventions, it’s more of a songwriting issue at hand.

It all started with a viral music video, which has since been taken down by the original publisher, Pauline India.

Somehow, the the lyrics, musicality and tune all sound eerily similar to our own 1986 NDP classic “Count on Me, Singapore” – a singing staple during our school days.

And so it’s little wonder why outcry and claims of plagiarism have emerged in the form of a tidal wave, enveloping the whole of Singapore and even reaching the shores of Pauline India themselves, who stepped out to clarify the source of the lyrics.

Since then, allegations have been swung back and forth, with each side claiming to have produced the track first.

You can read more on that here.

Featured Image: AnongSayoTV Cover (Youtube)