Some Chinese netizens argue that the costumes and props in Korean contents originated from China. /photo=Netflix
Some Chinese netizens argue that the costumes and props in Korean contents originated from China. /photo=Netflix
So called, ‘fake megafactory’, China is also well known for stirring up disputes over the origins of culture. The country’s top authority banned Netflix, but its people were eager to watch the ‘Squid game’ and channels did not let the business opportunity to slip by delivering the outstanding Netflix series across China.

Earlier, the Korean ambassador to China Jang Ha-seong disclosed “we are keeping track of the contents distributed illegally. In the case of Squid Game, we are estimating roughly 60 illegal websites were distributing the Korean series nationwide”, during the audit at the National Assembly.

Thus, Seo Kyoung-duk, professor at Sungshin Women's University, criticized Chinese such action by pointing out that a popular Chinese sportswear design company has copied the costumes from K-drama, Squid Game, which is reputed the Neflix’s hit in 2021.

In fact, a company that sold about 1,000 pieces of gym clothes and masks that imitated props from the squid game as Chinese products were detected by the Korea Customs Service(KCS).

However, the Chinese insists the outfits in the series were first worn by the Chinese. State-run media Global times named Wu Jing, Chinese actor presented in Chinese movie back in 2019, before the South Korea's drama appeared on screens.

Some Chinese netizens even argued that the costumes and props in the SBS historical drama 'Hongcheongi' plagiarized Chinese culture. Moreover, attempts to label traditional Korean clothing ‘hanbok’ as a type of Chinese occurred when Kim Yoo-jung, a main character in the frama wore Hanbok. Some Chinese argued voiced that the clothes were a ‘copy’ from the Ming Dynasty’s dress.

This is not the first time the controversy over 'hanbok origin' stirred up. Last November, Chinese gaming firm Paper Games' Shining Nikki shut down its Korean server after Chinese provoked ire when they realized Hanbok was not Chinese, and even went ahead by saying “keep in mind that the hankbok is not Korean traditional clothing”. The company when shutting down the Korean server apologized to its Chinese users “We have tremendous respect towards the Chinese culture and declare to uphold the dignity of the country(China)”

Professor Seo criticized the claims, made by some Chinese netizens , and explained “As Korea’s traditional and popular culture is drawing worldwide attention, China seems to feel a sense of crisis and now we can see the rise of Chinese mal-patriotism it always had”

“We should take advantage of China’s Northeast Project rather than an emotional response. It should be used as a good opportunity to let the world know about the China’s arbitrary distortion of history and culture, and proudly introduce hanbok to the world” he emphasized.