A recent episode of the South Korean drama Tempest, streaming on Disney+, has sparked a heated online debate in China. A line spoken by leading actress Jun Ji-hyun—“Why does China prefer war? A nuclear bomb could fall near the border”—has ignited outrage among Chinese netizens, reigniting tensions over cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The Controversial Line That Sparked Outrage
Jun Ji-hyun, one of South Korea’s most iconic actresses, plays a diplomat in Tempest, a spy-romance thriller centered around political intrigue and international conflict. However, a single dialogue line portraying China as “preferring war” struck a nerve with Chinese audiences, who interpreted it as a negative portrayal of their nation.
Within hours, social media platform Weibo was flooded with criticism. Many users accused the show of maliciously painting China as aggressive, while others launched boycott calls against Jun Ji-hyun and the global brands she endorses.
Renewed Calls for the K-Drama Ban in China
The controversy quickly escalated into broader discussions about South Korean entertainment in China. Since 2016, Korean dramas, music, and other content have been unofficially restricted in the country. This move followed South Korea’s decision to deploy the U.S. THAAD missile defense system, which Beijing opposed, seeing it as a strategic threat.
In recent months, some optimism surrounded the possibility of the ban easing. A few Korean artists performed in China, and cultural exchange discussions appeared to be improving. However, the backlash against Tempest has revived nationalist calls to maintain the restrictions.
One viral Weibo post, liked by more than 10,000 users, bluntly stated: “Keep the K-drama ban to the death, thank you.”
Criticism Beyond the Dialogue
While Jun Ji-hyun’s dialogue became the flashpoint, critics also pointed to other elements of the drama as offensive:
-
Depiction of Dalian: Scenes meant to represent the Chinese city showed rundown buildings, which many believe were filmed in Hong Kong, casting China in an unflattering light.
-
Symbolic Imagery: A dinner scene featured a red carpet with yellow stars, which viewers argued resembled the Chinese flag.
-
Language Issues: Jun recited a classical Chinese poem, but her accent was criticized as inaccurate and disrespectful.
Together, these moments fueled a wider perception that the drama misrepresented China, leading to a coordinated online campaign against Jun Ji-hyun.
Brands Distance Themselves from Jun Ji-hyun
Chinese consumers are well known for leveraging boycotts against international companies when national pride feels threatened. This time, luxury and beauty brands connected to Jun Ji-hyun became the target.
Sharp-eyed Weibo users noticed that La Mer, Louis Vuitton, and Piaget removed her images from their Chinese social media accounts. Demands for global contract terminations followed, with one commenter warning Louis Vuitton: “Besides removing Jun Ji-hyun advertisements, quickly terminate her contracts globally. Otherwise, we’ll boycott LV forever.”
Jun’s agency later clarified that her advertising campaigns had already ended before Tempest was released, emphasizing that her brand partnerships were unrelated to the series.
Supporters Defend the Actress
While much of the online sentiment has been hostile, some voices defended Jun Ji-hyun. Supporters stressed that actors do not write scripts and should not be held responsible for politically sensitive lines.
“Jun Ji-hyun is just an actor. She cannot be expected to study the complex history of international relations before acting in a role,” one Weibo user commented, criticizing the show’s production team rather than the actress herself.
However, such defenses were quickly drowned out by nationalistic backlash. Others argued that a star of Jun’s caliber could have refused the script, questioning her judgment in accepting the role.
A Star with a Global Legacy
Jun Ji-hyun rose to fame with the 2001 romantic comedy My Sassy Girl, which became a cultural phenomenon across Asia. Her career has since flourished with hits like My Love from the Star (2013) and Netflix’s Kingdom (2021). Despite her global popularity, she has been largely absent from China’s entertainment scene since the unofficial ban began.
The recent controversy now makes it even less likely that she—or any Korean actor—will find opportunities in the Chinese market soon.
The Bigger Picture: China and K-Content
Although some had hoped for improved cultural ties this year, the reaction to Tempest illustrates the fragility of Sino-Korean entertainment relations. Earlier in 2025, K-pop group Epex saw their concert in China canceled, and another multi-group performance in Hainan was postponed indefinitely.
China’s foreign ministry insists it does not oppose “beneficial cultural exchanges,” yet the reality shows otherwise. With a booming domestic entertainment industry, China no longer relies on K-dramas or K-pop to satisfy audiences.
Conclusion
The uproar over Tempest highlights how sensitive cultural portrayals can become flashpoints in international relations. For Jun Ji-hyun, the fallout may affect her endorsements and reputation in one of the world’s largest consumer markets. For South Korean entertainment as a whole, it signals that the road back into China remains uncertain.
As one critical Weibo user put it: “It’s already 2025 and you’re still watching K-dramas, how tacky!”
Sources: BBC
