NewJeans, one of South Korea's breakout K-pop acts, is at the center of a heated debate after recent events triggered calls for an apology. The controversy began on December 28, 2025, when the group p...
NewJeans , one of South Korea's breakout K-pop acts, is at the center of a heated debate after recent events triggered calls for an apology. The controversy began on December 28, 2025, when the group performed at the Seoul Music Awards, held at the Gocheok Sky Dome. The debate intensified after a segment of their performance was perceived as culturally insensitive by some viewers. The Incident at the Seoul Music Awards During their set, NewJeans, consisting of members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, performed their chart-topping single "OMG." While the performance was generally well-received, a particular dance move drew criticism for its alleged appropriation of traditional Korean cultural symbols without proper context. This sparked a wave of backlash on social media platforms, particularly Twitter and Instagram, where fans and critics alike voiced their concerns. Expert Opinions on Cultural Appropriation Experts in Korean music and cultural studies have weighed in on the ...