Film / Television

Japan’s Fight Against Kim Tae Hee

Written by Youngji On October 18, 2011

Actress Kim Tae Hee has been experiencing a lot of hate in Japan after news about her role in the drama “99 Days with a Star.” In fact, over five hundred angry Japanese citizens participated in a protest and over 20,000 individuals signed a petition online to prohibit her from acting in the Japanese drama. The reason for such protest and apparent hate is that Kim Tae Hee and her brother have supported the claim that Dokdo Island belongs to Korea and both were seen handing out CDs to support the cause in Switzerland approximately six years ago.

The dispute around Dokdo Island has always been a sensitive and historically charged issue and both sides (Koreans and Japaneses) strongly argue that they belong to their respective countries for various reasons. In fact, both countries have so much hate and resentment towards each other that the success of the Hallyu wave in Japan should have been considered a miracle.

The Japanese petitioners who are participating in the protests are arguing that because Kim Tae Hee does not support Japan and its claim regarding Dokdo Island, she should not be allowed to work or make money in Japan. In fact, some news outlets are making the claim that Kim Tae Hee is just a selfish individual who crossed over to Japan to just make money. I guess they forgot that every Korean act that crosses over does so with profits in mind, especially their beloved Yonsama. This is a very interesting turn of events, given that only a week ago the Japanese media was very surprised and pleased that the actress in question was fluent in Japanese.

Despite such protests, the casting decision seems to be firm for the time being, so Kim Taee Hee won’t be going away any time soon. However, I anticipate that this specific incident will have a bigger impact on Korean celebrities down the road where many Korean stars will eventually turn away from making any controversial statements regarding Japan or Korea, because they may want to resume their promotional activities in Japan.

Although I want to argue that the individual’s opinion regarding Dokdo or any other historical event and whether or not they chose to voice it should be separate from their professional activity, the two are tightly linked when it comes to Hallyu and Japan. What do you think about these chain of events? Are Japanese folks over reacting to Kim Tae Hee’s stance on Dokdo or are they right in accusing her of crossing over just to make more dough?

TAGS: 99 Days with a Star, Kim Tae-hee

Guest

I think any individual can raise up their own opinion. Some opinions may come with responsibility and or negative impact. As a public figure, Kim tae hee has to prepare herself to embrace the possible negative impact coming from the Japanese protesters. I wish there is someone to protect her from emotional distress. I think Korea and Japan should bring up their Dokdo Island ownership issue to international court? PEACE.
Gnattie

I was told that there is a lot of bad blood between the Koreans and Japanese. My Japanese language teacher, who lived in Japan for a short time, told me that there was a strong resentment towards Koreans. From what I’ve read of the Hallyu Wave in Japan, a lot of Japanese people don’t like it and only teenagers have really caught on. Apparently, Korean entertainment companies bought their way onto Japanese media and have been shoving Kdramas and Kpop down their throat. So I think the Hallyu Wave in Japan is a success but has been blown up to some extent.

This entire situation seems weird to me. But I’m an outsider so I figure that I’ll never understand. I think they should just leave the actress alone.
eswell

I don’t understand why Japan is trying to claim Dokdo. Correct me if Im wrong but according to my research, Dokdo is on Korea’s sea borders. Also Dokdo has been occupied by Korea all throughout known history except for when the Japanese took over Korea during 1905 to 1945. Since 1948 Dokdo has been under the control of South Korea (Korean-based U.S. XXIV Corps)

Well.. since I am Korean myself I can’t help myself but fury over this protest. 쪽발이들…
Mq

She has her right to voice her opinions, but voicing your opinions come with consequences.

I don’t think Japan’s in the wrong. I think Korea would be doing the same thing if they saw a Japanese actor/ess making similar comments and is promoted on their television.
Pingback: Recommended Reading – October 18th, 2011 | International Wota
guest

“Kim Tae Hee is just a selfish individual who crossed over to Japan to
just make money” Ha, sounds like pretty much every other Korean celeb
that tries to make money in the rest of Asia. Seldom do I sense any genuine respect or interest in the country they’re promoting in especially in China/SE Asia,
A few half-hearted badly pronounced greetings, some badly pronounced Japanese/Chinese remake songs and they reach for the money.

Anonymous

I hate admitting it because I’d like a kumbaya you are right it does sound like a lot of them. But that is the point isn’t it when an artist peddles their trade in different countries. To express themselves, to make money, and there is nothing wrong with that. Doesn’t make them selfish.

Jenny

I believe she has before also been in hot water, calling japanese monkeys etc and donating money to a organisation known to be anti-japanese. The problem is she’s a public figure so she should be more careful about her actions because as we see the results can be negative. Her agency in Japan Sweet Power has never had this kind of trouble with their talents before so we’ll see how they can handle the heat. On another note, her drama has no chance to beat Kimura Takuya’s or Matsushima Nanako’s dramas.
Well, Yonsama also gave a lot back after the tsunami and earthquake he donated a huge sum of money from his own pocket.
Anonymous

Well, I think it may depends. I’m neither Japanese or Korean, so I have no idea what Dokdo is for the two countries. If it is like Puerto Rico, and if Puerto Rico wanted to separate from us, I think most americans would have no problem with it. However, if it was like Alaska , and Canada wanted to claim those territories, then we would have a problem with it. Mostly because we know both have some degree of resentment towards America, and perhaps they would slander us in front of the world community. I think whether Kim Tae Hee deserves the criticism depends on the arguments she made on behalf of South Korea. If it was clearly factual and didn’t involve emotions, then I think there is no need to criticize her. However, if her speech contained emotions or any criticism towards Japan, then yes she deserves every bit of criticism about it. One way of looking at it is like high school drama: Let’s say that Japan was the Girlfriend of Dokdo, and South Korea was the girl who was jealous of Japan because they liked Dokdo. So they did all she could to break them up, and Kim Tae Hee was SK’s friend so she helped too. Then one day Kim found out that Japan was really cool, and could help her, so she became friends with Japan. Japan found out about Kim and SK worked together to separate Dokdo and her, and now Japan is confused over whether they can be friends again.
Yeah, I know it sounds ridiculous, but it is a way of looking at it and shows how many Japanese people maybe feeling right now about Kim Tae Hee.

http://twitter.com/kaichiturtle Rachel Young

Just some info on Dokdo islands. They are practically rocks. No one lives there (maybe 2 Koreans and Korean police officers on guard) so your analogy to Puerto Rico sort of fails but I understand what you were trying to say.

Anonymous

Thanks for clearing it up! I’m pretty open with the fact that I have no idea about korean politics :( so your explanation pretty much shows how ridiculous the whole fight is over dokdo

Guest

I really don’t understand why Japan didn’t claim Dokdo is theirs before but only after the research of possible rich natural resources underneath?

After all these years? Korea even has their station based on Dokdo. With this, I personally believe Dokdo belongs to Japan.

They should leave Kim Tae Hee alone.

Guest

Sorry, major typo. I believe Dokdo belongs to Korea. No doubt.

karina

if she have a bit of pride she should have go back to korea but it seem she just wont to die for japan and became japanese star

she is so rude and have no pride
Pingback: Inspiration From Nature
Pingback: When Hallyu and Politics Collide: Korea, Japan, and Political Backlash | seoulbeats
http://profile.yahoo.com/5DUJ3WUCP6Z4RMIJOUBOJFGM6E ecArg_6131

world peace!!!!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/weldon29 Ooi Boon Cher

It’s pretty stupid of her to get involve in issues like that, she should’ve kept quite about her personnel beliefs if she plans on working in Japan.