Adele is currently facing significant criticism from her Korean fan base after a recent concert that featured a symbol, which many found deeply offensive. During her performance in Munich, Germany, on August 3, as part of one of the largest tours of her career, the singer displayed an image of the Rising Sun Flag , which sparked a wave of backlash from Korean audiences. Reportedly, The Rising Sun Flag, prominently featured in the backdrop of Adele’s performance of ‘Rumour Has It,’ is highly controversial due to its historical associations with Japanese militarism.
For many Koreans, the symbol is reminiscent of Japan’s imperial past and is seen as a representation of oppression and wartime aggression. This imagery is considered as offensive in Korea as the Swastika is in Germany, symbolizing imperialism and war crimes, as noted by AllKpop. Adele's tour, which is set to attract around 800,000 attendees across ten performances, had garnered significant attention from the start.
The concert’s stage setup includes a Guinness World Record-breaking 220-meter-long outdoor screen, further amplifying the impact of the visuals presented. Unfortunately, the choice of imagery has overshadowed the scale of the event and led to widespread disappointment among fans. The backlash was swift and intense, with numerous Korean fans taking to social media to express their dismay.
Comments on Korean platforms, as translated by Koreaboo, reflect a mix of frustration and disbelief. One fan criticized the apparent lack of cultural sensitivity, stating, “How should I put this..
. White people seem really ignorant and uncivilized. They don’t even know why the Nazis are taboo; they just get fed information that Nazis are bad, so they just accept it, right? Otherwise, why would they keep using the Nazi symbol of the East? They are so ignorant.
” Another comment suggested that the use of the Rising Sun Flag might have been a deliberate choice, possibly as a substitute for Nazi symbols, which are banned in Germany. “So ignorant. Or did the person in charge do it on purpose? Since they can’t use Nazi symbols in Germany, is this a substitute?” questioned one user.
Others speculated whether the symbol’s use was intentional, with one remarking, “Do they want to use the Nazi symbol in Germany but can’t, so they use the Rising Sun flag instead? It seems intentional rather than ignorant.” While Adele’s tour aims to reach audiences worldwide, the choice of symbols can have significant implications, especially when historical connotations are involved. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Adele and her team will address the concerns raised by her Korean fans.
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