Japanese reaction to BTS Jin’s remarks in the East Sea, ‘super tuna’
While the self-composed song ‘Super Tuna’ released by BTS member Jin is gaining popularity, some Japanese netizens took issue with the lyrics of the song and started shooting him. It is pointed out that “Sea of Japan” rather than “East Sea” in the part of the lyrics of “Super Tuna,” “Sea of East Sea, Sea of West Sea” is the correct notation.
The song was released by Jin as an event for fans on his birthday, and the soundtrack and performance video were released free of charge through the official SNS. Japanese netizens who heard the song commented on Twitter, “We are hearing from all over the world, so the Japanese should protest and change the lyrics” “If the company confirmed this, you would be making fun of Japanese people”, “They took out the East Sea. It feels political.”
However, there is also a considerable response that it is natural to use the expression ‘East Sea’ because Jin is Korean. A Japanese netizen said, “To the end, BTS is a Korean idol, so it is natural to call it ‘East Sea. Another netizen said, “We learn from the Sea of Japan, and they (Koreans) learn from the East Sea, and Google maps change according to the country, so I think the international standards are good.”
The performance video of ‘Super Tuna’ that Jin released on YouTube is gaining explosive popularity and attracting attention from people around the world. Thanks to the addictive melody and easy-to-follow choreography, the dance challenge craze is also blowing. ‘Haerangi’, the official character of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, also participated in the ‘Super Tuna’ challenge and gathered topics.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Korea and Japan over the East Sea label has been going on for several years. Japan has claimed that Dokdo is its territory and that the East Sea is also the Sea of Japan. At a meeting held in November of last year, the IHO decided to introduce a method of displaying numbers rather than the ‘East Sea’ or ‘Sea of Japan’ on the digital chart, but the war of nerves between the two countries continues. Some civic groups have long been promoting the ‘East Sea’ rather than the ‘Sea of Japan’, but there are opinions that “a prize should be given” given that the ripple effect of Jin’s ‘super tuna’ is considerable.
