South Korea’s cultural spats with China are growing more intense
Helped by social media, citizens are sparring over food and history
ASUPERNATURAL DRAMA about evil spirits trying to bring down a medieval dynasty is not, you might think, to be taken too seriously. Yet when “Joseon Exorcist’‘ hit South Korean screens earlier this year, it provoked apoplexy on social media. The show was historically inaccurate, fumed pedants. Not because it showed ancient Korean royals battling the undead, but because it showed them enjoying Chinese snacks, such as mooncakes and preserved eggs. Companies pulled their advertising. The show was taken off the air after just two episodes.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “They’ll never take our kimchi”
Asia June 5th 2021
From the June 5th 2021 edition
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