Korean culture critic Ha Jae-geun analyzed the recent controversy surrounding Tiffany on Monday in EBS news. The Girls’ Generation singer faced a barrage of criticism from the Korean public after posting a rising sun flag on her Snapchat on Aug. 15 National Liberation Day, the day Korea attained independence from Japan.

the post of a Japanese flag posted on eve of Korea's National Liberation Day (Tiffany's Instagram)

rising sun flag image posted on Korea's National Liberation Day (Tiffany's Snapchat)

Ha chronicled the events: Tiffany posted an emoticon of a Japanese flag and a heart on the eve of National Liberation Day. When some fans remarked that it seemed insensitive of her to post a Japanese flag on the eve of Korea‘s National Liberation Day, Tiffany deleted the Japanese flag. However, she made a bigger blunder the next day, on National Liberation Day, by posting the word “Tokyo” in the design of a rising sun flag. The rising sun flag is a symbol of Japanese imperialism and is often associated with Japanese wartime atrocities committed in the early 20th century. Tiffany was in Tokyo for the Tokyo Dome Concert at the time she posted the emoticon.

“Some people and media have reported that Tiffany seems to have deliberately posted the rising sun flag. However, there is almost zero chance that Tiffany intentionally posted a rising sun flag on National Liberation Day to irk the Korean public. Why would she intentionally do something to antagonize the mass Korean public? I think the public was too quick to criticize her as a treacherous pro-Japanese without really thinking about what Tiffany was probably thinking or feeling. The public is excessively criticizing Tiffany, but this witch-hunting is not patriotism,” Ha said.

Tiffany wrote in hand an apology afterwards and posted it on her SNS: “I am sorry to have caused so much trouble on this special and important day. I am very ashamed of myself for causing much disappointment to many people, and I deeply regret it. From now on, I will keep in mind that my words and actions are seen by many people, and I will always be more circumspect about my words and actions.”

The apology did not relent public anger, as the public claimed that Tiffany did not at all mention the specifics of her misstep anywhere in the apology. The apology was devoid of the words “Japanese flag,” “rising sun flag,” or “National Liberation Day.” Some of the public denounced Tiffany more acrimoniously, saying that the vagueness reflected the insincerity of Tiffany’s apology.

However, Ha perceives the apology differently. “I think Tiffany made her apology vague not because she was insincere, but more because she was afraid of antagonizing the Japanese public if she specifically mentioned Japanese imperialism in her apology.”

Ha thinks the recent string of events occurred due to a fault in educating people about the meaning of the image. “Most people are aware of what a rising sun flag looks like, but Tiffany is not the only who is not cognizant of the fact that it is reminiscent of Japanese wartime atrocities.”

Hyeri wearing a shirt with a rising sun flag design (online community)

Tiffany is not the only one who was lambasted for using the Rising Sun Flag. Hyeri from Girl’s Day came under fire in 2012 for wearing a shirt with a rising sun flag design in a heart. Hyeri had received the shirt from a Japanese fan. “I wore the shirt to express support for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and did not really notice the rising sun design. I am very sorry, and I will make sure it won‘t happen again.” Hyeri said at the time.

T.O.P. from Big Bang wearing a jacket with rising sun flag (iMBC)

In 2007 T.O.P from Big Bang also wore a jacket with a rising sun flag drawn on the chest. The CEO of his agency, YG Entertainment, later explained that neither T.O.P nor the staff really knew what the sun meant or noticed it. “However, I know ignorance cannot be used as an excuse,” he said, and apologized.

Jang (left) and HyunA (right) wearing shirts with rising sun flag (online community)

In 2013 singers Jang Hyun-seong and HyunA also wore shirts with the rising sun flag drawn when the two co-worked on the song “Troublemaker,” arousing much criticism from the public.

Ha also advocates for the ban of the rising sun flag image. “Using the image of swastika in Germany is illegal. I think that the Korean government should similarly prohibit the usage of the rising sun flag image, given the atrocities that the Imperial Japan committed.”

By Lee Ji-hae (jihlee@heraldcorp.com)