People are demanding official apology from company.
Goeun apologized during fan call, of course it's obvious it isn't her fault, and in this case it was small detail.
Here is photo which made people angry - it's about Nazi Eagle swastika badge - it's under U.S. Airforce badge
which makes a whole thing even weirder and crazier 
and here is either edited version or changed after people started complaining
The company to be more cautious next time.
well...
they officially apologized now
It may seem like common knowledge to us, but it really isn't in some places of the world. For instance, in Japan, this symbol means something completely different — a Buddhist symbol.
People prioritize what's most relevant to them and what has affected them the most. This is why Koreans spend more time learning about Japan's Rising Sun symbol and how Japan has historically hurt them instead of what Nazi imagery looks like.
There's really no reason for them intentionally cause public outcry by doing something like this, if that's what people are speculating. There's no incentive for them. This appears to be an instance of lack of awareness and that's what it is.
It may seem like common knowledge to us, but it really isn't in some places of the world. For instance, in Japan, this symbol means something completely different — a Buddhist symbol.
People prioritize what's most relevant to them and what has affected them the most. This is why Koreans spend more time learning about how Japan has historically hurt them instead of what Nazi imagery looks like.
this
this is the reason why also international fans usually don't care with rising sun controversy and think that koreans usually do a lot because of this
meanwhile for Koreans it's a very big deal
It may seem like common knowledge to us, but it really isn't in some places of the world. For instance, in Japan, this symbol means something completely different — a Buddhist symbol.
People prioritize what's most relevant to them and what has affected them the most. This is why Koreans spend more time learning about Japan's Rising Sun symbol and how Japan has historically hurt them instead of what Nazi imagery looks like.
There's really no reason for them intentionally cause public outcry by doing something like this, if that's what people are speculating. There's no incentive for them. This appears to be an instance of lack of awareness and that's what it is.
the one in Japanese temples is facing other side I think?
just sayin that stylist or person which brought those badges to company should be reprimended/fired
I can name at least one instance in which a renowned American artist used the Japanese Rising Sun symbol, likely unaware of its notorious history.
Most of us Americans aren't taught about inter-Asian conflicts. We're taught about our involvement in foreign affairs, but the scope of our education ends there. There's still a lot of inter-Asian continental issues happening today that we have no clue about.
It's important to point out these controversial moments to help companies understand — so they can avoid accidentally hurting or rubbing people the wrong way in the future. However, I doubt any of this was a sinister, intentional plot to convey a mean-spirited message.
Lots of shops sell this kind of stuff actually. There's a whole market for military memorabilia, including third reich items.
This isn't the first time the swastika appears in K-pop, so I guess Korea is one of the countries that aren't aware of its symbolism because they didn't directly face Germany in WWII. Korea was under Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945, so it makes sense they care more about the Rising Sun Flag (Japan) than about the swastika (Germany).
the one in Japanese temples is facing other side I think?
just sayin that stylist or person which brought those badges to company should be reprimended/fired
Most people can't even tell which way the Nazi swastika faces. And there are swastikas facing both ways in temples.
It may seem like common knowledge to us, but it really isn't in some places of the world. For instance, in Japan, this symbol means something completely different — a Buddhist symbol.
People prioritize what's most relevant to them and what has affected them the most. This is why Koreans spend more time learning about Japan's Rising Sun symbol and how Japan has historically hurt them instead of what Nazi imagery looks like.
There's really no reason for them intentionally cause public outcry by doing something like this, if that's what people are speculating. There's no incentive for them. This appears to be an instance of lack of awareness and that's what it is.
I agree with this. In my country the swastika doesn't hold much relevance or taboo even for people who took history in high school. A few people will sometimes use the symbol on clothing only with thoughts of it looking cool.
I'm glad the company changed it quickly.
It may seem like common knowledge to us, but it really isn't in some places of the world. For instance, in Japan, this symbol means something completely different — a Buddhist symbol.
People prioritize what's most relevant to them and what has affected them the most. This is why Koreans spend more time learning about Japan's Rising Sun symbol and how Japan has historically hurt them instead of what Nazi imagery looks like.
There's really no reason for them intentionally cause public outcry by doing something like this, if that's what people are speculating. There's no incentive for them. This appears to be an instance of lack of awareness and that's what it is.
I should link my three knowledge threads huh? lol
This video proves many people in other countries are not familiar with Nazi symbols:
I can name at least one instance in which a renowned American artist used the Japanese Rising Sun symbol, likely unaware of its notorious history.
Most of us Americans aren't taught about inter-Asian conflicts. We're taught about our involvement in foreign affairs, but the scope of our education ends there. There's still a lot of inter-Asian continental issues happening today that we have no clue about.
It's important to point out these controversial moments to help companies understand — so they can avoid accidentally hurting or rubbing people the wrong way in the future. However, I doubt any of this was a sinister, intentional plot to convey a mean-spirited message.
I agree with this. In my country, schools (or at least my school) didn't teach us about Nazi. Of course we know it just because of how notorious it is and sometimes the word appeared few times, but we don't really know what exactly happened at that time. We were focused on learning the countries that colonize us like Japan, England, the Dutch, Portugal, and Spain. That's why our people will be aware and relate more to the Rising Sun symbol because that's what our ancestors experience, but not so much with Swastika.
it reminds me of the auspicious symbol used in Hindu traditions
it closely resembles the nazi symbol
it reminds me of the auspicious symbol used in Hindu traditions
it closely resembles the nazi symbol
History Fact: The Nazi symbol was inspired by the auspicious symbol in Indian religions and traditions. That’s why they look so similar. Hitler liked the way it looked and decided to make it the symbol of the aryan race after visiting India.
We must understand that each country studies its own history and is not aware of what is happening on the other side of the world for obvious reasons. Europeans don't know what happened to Korea in WW2, and Koreans don't know what happened in Europe in WW2.
People have reported the problem and the company has taken steps to correct it, I think there is no need to say more about it. Too bad some stupid kids did too much as usual on social networks.
And the swastika is even older than that
And the swastika is even older than that
It’s also found in Buddhism which was a widespread religion in NEA too… so the people over there by default have a different connection to the symbol anyway… in the west we just know it as the Nazi Symbol, even though that symbol was inspired by Asian religion and traditions.
That’s the roof of a Korean Buddhist Temple
This has become an interesting discussion.
This is just my theory, but I really think one of the main reasons the Nazi symbol is so well-known in America is due to Hollywood and pop culture. It's as if we have a morbid obsession with the symbol and Nazi Germany, romanticizing it both intentionally and unintentionally. Ironically, we're keeping the negative connotation of this symbol alive and adding to the notoriety that it has. To add to that, Americans are highly visual when it comes to learning history. We learn from films, textbooks, documentaries, and other visual aids that show memorable, often iconic images that get stuck in our minds.
I'm sure that, for Europeans whose countries got invaded and attacked by Nazi Germany, they wouldn't even want to think of Nazis in their free time, let alone incorporate Nazi references into their entertainment. Meanwhile it's easy for us Americans to look from afar, "empathize" a bit, and continue to use Nazis as a reference point for evil characters in our films. An example would be Star Wars — everything from how Darth Vader is portrayed in a Hitler-like manner to the uniforms of the Empire.
In Asian countries, people either see it as representation for peace and prosperity or simply view it as some random shape. They're not going to stop using it just because one German guy adopted it for his own agenda.
With that said, I do think it's good for entertainment companies to learn about it so they can prevent misunderstandings and avoid potentially hurting anyone. This will not be the last time something like this happens because it takes time for entire countries to learn about how other countries perceive things.
Hate groups regularly co-opt preexisting symbols so they can hide in plain sight. The fact that the swastika is a common element in Buddhism/Hinduism, means it's as common to see one in Korea as seeing a Christian cross in the US. But pairing it with the iron eagle and the military symbolism is what ties it to Nazism which is why people who haven't learned about it tend to use items like this unintentionally.
It sucks that people would use this as a slight to the group when in reality it was just a simple mistake. I highly doubt the stylist saw the patch and was like "aw yeah let's offend some people!"
It may seem like common knowledge to us, but it really isn't in some places of the world. For instance, in Japan, this symbol means something completely different — a Buddhist symbol.
Not only in Japan tho.
I watch a American youtuber who lives in Korea. She went to Jeju island earlier this year and said "I will check out this cute cafe I saw on Instagram" and as she sat outside on a chair in the lawn watching the ocean next to the cafe I was shook cause the entire building had this simbole multiple times on the walls
It may seem like common knowledge to us, but it really isn't in some places of the world. For instance, in Japan, this symbol means something completely different — a Buddhist symbol.
People prioritize what's most relevant to them and what has affected them the most. This is why Koreans spend more time learning about Japan's Rising Sun symbol and how Japan has historically hurt them instead of what Nazi imagery looks like.
There's really no reason for them intentionally cause public outcry by doing something like this, if that's what people are speculating. There's no incentive for them. This appears to be an instance of lack of awareness and that's what it is.
It's crooked .
And it's literally with the eagles .
It's 100% a Nazis symbol .
Honestly with how popular kpop is becoming . Some agency need to be careful on some topic .
And it's literally the equivalent of the rising sun symbol in Korea .
Display MoreIt's crooked .
And it's literally with the eagles .
It's 100% a Nazis symbol .
Honestly with how popular kpop is becoming . Some agency need to be careful on some topic .
And it's literally the equivalent of the rising sun symbol in Korea .
When paired with its rotation and the eagle, it's undeniably a Nazi symbol. What some of us are saying is that is nothing more than an honest mistake because:
Companies definitely should be more aware and cautious of this, though.
swastika has been a holy symbol for Indians (In Hinduism and Buddhism) and it symbolizes prosperity and good luck. I hope people stop associating it with just the nazi party and see it as something offensive.. it was stolen by hitler and put to wrong use but it does not make the symbol lose its actual meaning..
thanks to him, a symbol of peace and positivity has lost its value in modern day..
whats the point of knowing history and crying about it and calling people out when you don't even actually know half of it
They can be aware of it, but have no clue of what all the symbols and uniform emblems are.
Countries are much more concerned with what affects them directly. Korea is no exception. They're much more concerned about the internal conflict that resulted in the Korean War. They're much more concerned about tension with North Korea, which is why they have mandatory two-year military service despite the fact that there hasn't been any major conflict in recent times. They're much more concerned with how Japan once wronged their country, which is why the Rising Flag is such a big deal to them.
They might have a general understanding of other events, but don't expect them to know the specifics the way countries directly affected would. The only reason reason that symbol has so much shock value to us Americans is that we've romanticized it in our media and entertainment. Not to mention we have white supremacists who look up to Nazi ideology and glorify that symbol for their own hateful agenda. Keep in mind many of us don't know about the horrible history behind Japan's Rising Sun flag.
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they’re still in 