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As of 9:00 a.m. September 9, the #CancelKorea is the top trending topic on Philippine Twitter after Filipino-Japanese TikTok star Bella Poarch, received criticism from Korean netizens about her controversial tattoo.

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🥺👉🏻👈🏻 to my all my followers😌I love all of you🥺💕 #kisses 💋

A post shared by Bella Poarch (@bella.poarch) on Apr 25, 2020 at 7:09pm PDT

The ink in question is the Japanese Rising Sun flag which is linked with Japanese Imperialism and war crimes during World War II. Based on history, this flag was carried by soldiers and was raised when enemy territories fell to Japanese forces.

In South Korea, this remains to be offensive due to Japan's maltreatment to its citizens when the country was under its colonial rule.

Source: @BellaPoarch (TikTok)

This led many Korean netizens to point out Bella's mistake and the meaning behind the said tattoo.

In response, Bella apologized and said she will correct her mistake by having the tattoo removed or covered up for the time being.

She wrote on Twitter, “I apologized to Koreans because 6 months ago, I got a tattoo of the red sun with 16 rays. At that time, I didn't know the history. But when I found out, I immediately had it covered and scheduled for removal.

“I am ashamed of myself for not doing my research. I sincerely apologize.”

She said she has seen mark countless times in clothing, cars, and jewelry without knowing the meaning behind it.

“Please educate yourselves and learn more about it because it came from a terrible history,” she added.

“It's very offensive to a lot of people. Please learn from my mistake.”

I apologize to Koreans because 6 months ago I got a tattoo of the red sun with 16 rays. At that time, I didn't know the history. But when I found out, I immediately had it covered and scheduled for removal. I am ashamed of myself for not doing my research. I sincerely apologize.

-- Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) September 6, 2020

I live in Hawaii and I see a lot of people using the red rising sun symbol in clothing, cars and jewelry. Please educate yourselves and learn more about it because it came from a terrible history. It is very offensive to a lot of people. Please learn from my mistake.

-- Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) September 6, 2020

While most netizens forgave her, others attacked the star with racial slurs and also the Filipinos.

One netizen wrote, “Poor country non-educated people short people.”

Source: @TaulehSarah (Twitter)

This irked a lot of Filipinos sparking nationalism online and debate about the relationship between the two countries.

Do y'all remember this. This korean man was bullied for having darkskin in school and using ”filipino” to insult him. Like this was 3 years ago and no one is doing anything. #ApologizeToFilipinos #cancelkorea pic.twitter.com/2qJmXtbIdr

-- joy (@joy47207889) September 9, 2020

Before you insult our country why don't you try to read your own history? It may help you know how my countrymen offered their own lives to set your ungrateful ass free?#cancelkorea pic.twitter.com/QRvy299lMn

-- Atticus Oceanus (@AtticusOceanus) September 9, 2020

Let's bring back history!!
The Philippines was the first Asian country that sends combat troops just to protect Korea. And now toxic Koreans were saying that Filipinos were poor and uneducated?
Take your lightstick down and raise our flag🇵🇭#cancelkorea pic.twitter.com/R7rRFxbTEC

-- Glen🇵🇭 (@glensilog) September 8, 2020

Others, mostly Filipino K-pop fans, were quick to trade their lightstick for the Filipino flag.

Sabi nga ni Catriona, "Raise your flag" not "Raise your lightsticks".😉🇵🇭❤️ #cancelkorea 👎 pic.twitter.com/RQemqrWO1h

-- JP (@FrexJohn) September 9, 2020

I'm proud to be a kpop and kdrama fan, but for now let me put down my lightstick and raise my own flag🇵🇭. Some koreans may have insulted us filipinos and our country, hence we should not curse on them and show RESPECT that they haven't showed #cancelkorea#ApologizeToFilipinos

-- jasmine (@jsmnmendoxa) September 9, 2020

I'm a big fan of kdrama wanting to visit the place soon cause i really love the culture but them attacking so much @bellapoarch about her tattoo. Who already apologize and now insulting us because of our color. I'd rather raise our Philippines flag that support them #cancelkorea pic.twitter.com/NDqWK6vVfS

-- kendrakn (@NYKYlodeon) September 9, 2020

I rather raise my flags that lightstick #cancelkorea

-- isabella🇵🇭 (@Minyoon24627511) September 9, 2020

This is a developing story.