Mr. Huang An,
You used to be another singer in China -- a well-known singer in Taiwan who was respected by generations of singers. However, not many people knew about you until you bullied a 16-year-old.
In January, Tzuyu of Korean girl group TWICE appeared on a variety show called "My Little Television." The crew gave her and her group flags to represent where they were from. Some members were holding South Korean flags, some held Japanese flags, and Tzuyu held a Taiwanese flag. She was born and raised in Taiwan. It would make sense for her to wave that flag, yes?
I was wrong.
Mr. Huang An, you went on your Weibo, China's equivalent to Facebook, account and falsely accused Tzuyu of supporting Taiwan's independence from China. Many of your fans supported your post and harassed her and the Chinese government went as far as banning any videos with TWICE and any artists under her company, JYP Entertainment. Because of this, JYP halted all Chinese activities for all of their artists. JYP then uploaded a video of Tzuyu apologizing and stating that "China is one." Many people believed that her company forced her to get on camera and apologize.
Mr. Huang An, I thought you might have realized what you had done and would tell everyone to stop harming this girl.
Instead, you went on Weibo again and posted a victory speech about how she finally admitted China and Taiwan are one country. You were happy that Tzuyu was forced to say she was a proud Chinese.
I get it.
China and Taiwan have a long history regarding whether or not Taiwan should be part of the People's Republic of China, as one. Even though Taiwan elected its first female president, it is one of the topics that is too sensitive to discuss, especially if you live in China or Taiwan. I can see why many people are upset at JYP because they were too worried about their business in China to care about protecting their artists.
I get it.
However, I just don't understand why you have to come after someone like her, Mr. Huang An. Yes, Tzuyu is part of one of Korea's biggest girl groups. You have to keep this in mind: she is still sixteen. I highly doubt that she intentionally waved the Taiwanese flag so she could make you upset. While I am disappointed in how JYP was handling the situation, I am more disappointed in you.
Mr. Huang An, I don't care if you find this article and advocate for your Weibo fans to take down this article and ban me, because my opinions will stay the same.
As a half-Korean person, I don't know China and Taiwan's situation that well. As a half-Chinese person, your actions made me angry (I am saying that nicely). Mr. Huang An, it made me feel ashamed of my Chinese heritage because you shoved your own words in the girl's mouth where they shouldn't have been. Even though this situation has finally calmed down, that does not mean you are excused for what you have done to Tzuyu.
While I (try to) respect your opinions, please do not come after this girl. Tzuyu has been through enough. Let her be proud of her nationality. If Tzuyu says she is a proud Taiwanese, let her be Taiwanese. If she says without force that she is a proud Chinese, let her be Chinese.
Let her be proud of her nationality.
Signed,
A proud half Chinese and Korean
