Samsung, FILA and Hyundai Have Removed BTS-Related Posts and Ads from Chinese Websites and Social Media after the K-Pop Boy Band’s ‘Controversial’ Speech Outraged Chinese Netizens
 
Chinese netizens are outraged by BTS, the K-pop boy band global sensation, over the mentioning of the Korean War in an award-acceptance speech earlier.  Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Department, stated that he was aware of the related reports and the responses from netizens.  The South Korean company Samsung has since removed products launched in conjunction with BTS from online stores in China.  The car manufacturer Hyundai and the sports brand FILA have also removed posts related to BTS on their Chinese social media accounts.
 
Samsung has launched a special edition series of mobile phones and earphones with BTS this July.  However, the products are no longer available on Chinese shopping websites JD.com, Tmall and Samsung’s official Chinese website after online dispute of BTS arose.   Hyundai and FILA, which have invited BTS to endorse their products, have also removed all BTS-related posts from their official Weibo accounts earlier.
 
When a journalist asked about the Chinese netizens’ outrage on BTS at a regular press conference hosted by Zhao Lijian, he answered, "I am aware of the related reports, as well as the responses from Chinese netizens.  We should learn from history, face the future, treasure peace and promote friendship.  These are the things that we should pursue together, worthy to strive for together."
 
During the acceptance speech of the General James A. Van Fleet Award, an award granted to those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of US-Korean relations, BTS’s leader RM said, “We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together, and the sacrifices of the countless men and women.”  This single sentence had apparently outraged Chinese netizens, despite the fact that China was not mentioned in the speech at all.
 
#China #BTS #ChineseNetizens #ZhaoLijian #Samsung #Hyundai #FILA #SocialMedia
 
Source: Stands News #Oct13

https://bit.ly/3o0D8Ro

HK Documentary about #PolyUSiege Wins Grand Prize at International Documentary Festival in Japan

The documentary "Inside the Red Brick Wall", chronicling the 13-day police siege of #PolyU during the #AntiELAB movement, has won the grand prize at Japan's #Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. This honor has never been won by a Hong Kong film in its three-decade history, until now.

The film was selected as the best Hong Kong film of 2020 by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society. However, it had been shunned by local cinemas after pro-government media labeled it anti-police and anti-government. Its premiere was cancelled only hours before its showing by the hosting cinema.

The panel of judges noted that the documentary showed citizens and students being trapped by the police inside Polytechnic University; it documented the reality of youngsters, including minors, as they faced these dire circumstances, whether or not they had food. Live footage also showed photographers being fired upon within the campus

[editor's note: according to statistics from Hong Kong Journalists Association, 3 journalists had been shot with pepper balls at close range].

The film itself carries historical significance.

The film's directors, listed as "Hong Kong Documentary Filmmakers", thanked the organizers through a pre-recorded video. They said that under Hong Kong's current oppressive environment, they must regroup and be formless like water, but believed that "we'll walk together again".

"To all who believe in freedom", they added, "The only response to oppression is resistance. We will keep moving, and keep on filming."

Source: Citizen News #Oct13
https://bit.ly/3awuc0v

#Film #Documentary #Resistance #ProtestArt #FilmFestival