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 .