The Korean drama series "Tempest," starring renowned actress Jun Ji-hyun, has triggered massive backlash from Chinese audiences who are accusing the show of insulting China through controversial dialogue and negative portrayals of Chinese cities. The Disney spy thriller, which premiered on September 10, has been criticized for depicting China as a war-loving nation and misrepresenting the northern Chinese city of Dalian.
Directed by Kim Hee-won, "Tempest" follows the story of skilled diplomat Seo Mun-ju, played by Jun Ji-hyun, as she investigates a deadly attack that threatens the stability of the Korean peninsula. Jun Ji-hyun is recognized as one of the leading stars of the Korean Wave (Hallyu), having gained international fame through her breakthrough role in the 2001 romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl" and later achieving massive success as Cheon Song-yi in the blockbuster drama "My Love from the Star."
Both of Jun's previous productions achieved tremendous success in China, garnering high viewership ratings and establishing her as a beloved figure among Chinese fans. However, her current popularity in the Chinese market has been severely damaged by a particularly controversial scene in episode 4 of "Tempest." The contentious moment occurs when Jun's character asks, "Why does China favor war?" - a line that immediately sparked outrage across Chinese social media platforms.
Chinese netizens have strongly condemned the dialogue as a direct attack on China's image and a gross distortion of reality. Many fans expressed their disappointment, with one user stating, "China doesn't love war; we pursue peace. This is slander." Another angry commenter wrote, "If China truly loved war, you wouldn't be here filming TV dramas!" The controversy has been particularly painful for Jun's Chinese fanbase, with many expressing that this incident has "shattered the filter" they had regarding the actress.
The backlash intensified further when viewers discovered that the show had misrepresented the city of Dalian in northern China. The production team filmed scenes in Hong Kong, featuring shop signs with traditional Chinese characters, but falsely identified the location as Dalian. The dimly lit and negative portrayal of the supposed Chinese city prompted accusations that the producers deliberately sought to damage the image of Chinese urban areas.
Mainland Chinese viewers interpreted this misrepresentation as an intentional attempt to perpetuate outdated stereotypes about Chinese cities. One frustrated user questioned, "If you're going to call it Dalian, why not film in Dalian?" Another viewer noted, "They made Dalian look terrible. Even though I've never been there, I always thought it was a tourist city." Many critics have labeled this portrayal as "a complete display of outdated stereotypes."
The controversy has led to widespread condemnation of Jun Ji-hyun personally, with many viewers feeling betrayed by her delivery of what they consider "anti-China" dialogue. One commenter expressed concern about the long-term implications, asking, "Didn't she realize anything wrong when she delivered that line? This could ruin her entire career in the Chinese market." Another echoed similar sentiments, stating, "If this isn't insulting China, then what is?"
As the controversy continues to spread across Chinese social media platforms, neither the producers of "Tempest" nor Jun Ji-hyun herself have issued any official response addressing the criticism. The incident highlights the sensitive nature of cross-cultural entertainment content and the potential risks faced by Hallyu stars when their projects contain material that could be perceived as politically or culturally offensive to international audiences, particularly in the lucrative Chinese market.
