The popular American band Maroon 5, which was scheduled to perform in Korea in November, was caught up in the Rising Sun Flag controversy and was eventually deleted.
On the 2nd, Maroon 5 used an image with the Rising Sun flag in announcing the schedule of additional world tour performances through the official website.
Korean fans who confirmed this expressed their dislike, and Professor Seo Kyung-deok of Sungshin Women's University, a 'Korean reminder', sent an official protest e-mail to Maroon 5, conveying the seriousness of the use of the image of the Rising Sun flag.
Professor Seo Kyung-duk said at the time, "After emphasizing the fact that the Japanese Rising Sun Flag is a war criminal flag with the same meaning as Germany's Hakenkreuz, he attached an English video related to the Rising Sun Flag."
Enlarging an image
As if conscious of the controversy, on the 6th Maroon 5 official website, the image of the rising sun flag used earlier was modified with the members' photos.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time Maroon 5 has been caught up in controversy over the use of the image of the Rising Sun Flag.
The Rising Sun flag appeared in the music video for 'One More Night' released in 2012, and in 2019, Maroon 5 member Jesse Carmichael spoke in support of the Rising Sun Flag and became popular among domestic fans. has caused controversy.
Domestic netizens who watched Maroon 5's actions showed negative reactions such as "I was late last time I visited Korea and said that to the Rising Sun Ki, but this is just ignoring Korea", "I'm angry that I write it even though I know what it means", "It's still there", etc.
The Rising Sun Flag is a flag in the shape of a red sun spreading around the red sun pattern of the Japanese flag.
It is a war criminal flag recognized as a symbol of Japanese imperialism and militarism, and it is a symbol that is taboo in countries affected by Japanese occupation such as Korea.
(Photo = 'Maroon 5' official website, Instagram)
(SBS SUBSTAR)
(SBS Entertainment News Editor Min-Jae Jeon)