Korean cheerleader Ha Ji-won sparks controversy over indigenous festival endorsement

South Korean cheerleader Ha Ji-won faced backlash after being invited as a promotional ambassador for the Hualien Indigenous Peoples Joint Harvest Festival. Images of her wearing indigenous attire alongside the township chief sparked discussions on social media, with some netizens deeming the act inappropriate and disrespectful to the culture.

Ha Ji-won's agency, Aura Entertainment, issued a response on August 8, expressing gratitude for the invitation and trust from the Ji'an Township Office in Hualien. The agency highlighted Ha Ji-won's fondness for Taiwan and her desire to explore different cities and cultures. She was reportedly delighted to participate in the festival and looked forward to experiencing indigenous culture firsthand, sharing the experience with friends in Taiwan and Korea.

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We will humbly listen to all opinions and continue to learn. In future cultural exchange activities, we will be more cautious, with the primary principle being to respect the culture of each ethnic group and the spirit of the event.

The agency emphasized that the costumes, program, and performance at the press conference were all part of the organizer's overall event plan. They confirmed thorough communication and confirmation with the organizers prior to the event. Acknowledging the importance of respecting indigenous culture, the agency stated they would listen humbly to all opinions and continue to learn. They pledged to be more cautious in future cultural exchange activities, prioritizing respect for all ethnic cultures and the spirit of the events.

Ha Ji-won is scheduled to return to Ji'an Township on September 5 for the Harvest Festival. Her agency expressed her anticipation for experiencing the festival's warmth and charm, hoping the exchange will further introduce Hualien and Taiwan's rich, diverse culture to international audiences.

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She is very much looking forward to personally experiencing the passion and charm of the Harvest Festival and hopes that through this exchange, more domestic and foreign friends will get to know Hualien and Taiwan's rich and diverse culture.