Chinese Personality Zhang Yuan Resumes Social Media After 2-Year Hiatus Over Anti-Korea Controversy

Chinese television personality Zhang Yuan has reappeared on social media after a two-year absence, following a significant controversy surrounding his alleged anti-Korean remarks. His return was marked by a brief Chinese greeting, "Long time no see," posted on July 17, along with several new profile pictures showcasing a smiling Zhang Yuan in a white jacket and black t-shirt.

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I'm going to do street interviews in Korea about whether Korea is stealing our (China's) culture. I'll ask about Chinese elements like the Dano festival, Confucius, Chinese characters, and Chinese solar terms, asking 'Do you think all of this is Korean?'

The social media update is notable as it represents his first public online activity since he ceased broadcasting activities two years ago due to the controversy. The incident stemmed from a live broadcast in May 2024, where Zhang Yuan expressed intentions to conduct street interviews in Korea about cultural appropriation, specifically questioning claims that elements like the Dano festival, Confucius, and Chinese solar terms were Korean.

He further elaborated on his plans, stating he would wear traditional Chinese imperial attire to visit Korean palaces like Gyeongbokgung, likening it to an emperor inspecting a vassal state. He also suggested he would ride the subway and visit popular areas to showcase Chinese culture, framing this as a primary objective for his trip to Korea. Zhang Yuan also asserted that many Koreans, tracing back three to four generations, have Chinese ancestors.

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I will wear Ming and Song dynasty emperor's clothes and tour royal palaces like Gyeongbok Palace. It will feel like an emperor inspecting a vassal state. I will then take the subway and go to bustling streets to showcase China's beauty. One of the purposes of this trip to Korea is this.

The controversy escalated when he linked a scene from an Ive music video to the 'Maningeng' massacre site from the Japanese occupation era and raised suspicions about a new song's teaser release date and concert timing being related to China's painful history. This sparked public outrage. Zhang Yuan had previously defended himself, claiming Korean media selectively reported his words and that his schedule was canceled due to the news. He appealed for time to explain his true intentions, emphasizing his principle of wishing for better relations between the two nations.

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If you trace back three or four generations for any random person in Korea, a considerable number of their ancestors are Chinese.