Adele is facing significant backlash from her Korean fans due to the use of a controversial image during her concerts. The image in question, depicting the Rising Sun flag, has a deeply negative connotation for Koreans because of its historical association with Japan’s militarism and imperialism. The flag is considered highly offensive, akin to the swastika in Germany, due to the atrocities committed under its banner during Japan’s occupation of Korea and World War II.
Eminem roasted by his own alter ego Slim Shady with Taylor Swift reference
The controversy erupted on August 3, during Adele’s concert in Munich, Germany, which marked the beginning of a major tour expected to draw 800,000 attendees across 10 performances. During her performance of “Rumour Has It,” the Rising Sun flag appeared on the massive 220-meter-long LED screens, which are set to make a Guinness World Record. This imagery has sparked outrage among her Korean fans and has been widely condemned on social media.
#AdeleinMunich
Hi, Adele. Today’s concert in Munich was absolutely perfect, except for one thing. During the performance of “Rumor Has It,” the Rising Sun flag appeared on the screen. This flag is a symbol of Japanese militarism and holds the same meaning as the Nazi swastika. pic.twitter.com/FUAPyViQkY— karma (@florenbooty) August 3, 2024
Korean media outlets and fans quickly expressed their dismay, with many taking to social media to voice their anger and disappointment. Comments translated from Korean social media highlight a perception of ignorance and insensitivity. One user remarked, “How should I put this… White people seem really ignorant and uncivilized. They don’t even know why the Nazis are taboo; they just get fed information that Nazis are bad, so they just accept it, right? Otherwise, why would they keep using the Nazi symbol of the East? They are so ignorant.”
[NOTNETIZENBUZZ]
Korean fans angered over Adele’s use of rising sun flag imagery in Germany concert pic.twitter.com/bn0JYV2GhH
— notpannkpop & notnetizenbuzz (@notpannkpop_) August 4, 2024
Another speculated whether the use of the flag was intentional, questioning, “So ignorant. Or did the person in charge do it on purpose? Since they can’t use Nazi symbols in Germany, is this a substitute?” A third comment theorized a deliberate provocation: “Do they want to use the Nazi symbol in Germany but can’t, so they use the Rising Sun flag instead? It seems intentional rather than ignorant.”
This incident has not only angered Korean fans but has also drawn broader attention to the sensitivities surrounding historical symbols and the importance of cultural awareness in global events.
