Here's why #CancelKorea is trending on Twitter

Filipino and Korean netizens have been bashing heads online amid the controversy surrounding Pinay TikToker Bella Poarch.

Bella, who is a well-known social media influencer with more than 15 million followers on TikTok, received backlash after some Korean netizens noticed her arm tattoo that incorporates Japan's Rising Sun flag.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Bella Poarch (@bella.poarch) on

Jul 9, 2020 at 1:26pm PDT

In the comments section of her video where her tattoo was visibly shown, one user asked if she knew the meaning of her tattoo.

She said she was inspired by American Singer Jhene Aiko.

After receiving criticism from Korean netizens, Bella posted an apology on TikTok with a photo of the said tattoo.

On the photo she wrote, "I'm very sorry if my tattoo offends you. I love Korea. Please forgive me."

@bellapoarch

##greenscreen Here is a photo of my arm tattoo. I love Korea???????? I would never do anything to hurt anyone.

? The Banjo Beat, Pt. 1 - Ricky Desktop

However, offended Korean netizens began tweeting racist comments not just against Bella but to all Filipinos in general.

In response, Pinoys got #CancelKorea to trend as they tweeted about the achievements of Filipinos and the history of the relationship of South Korea and the Philippines.

Some K-culture fans have been expressing their disappointment over the issue.

(some) koreans: Koreans never forget history.
Filipino: Oh really?! Then why did you forget the history about how we help your freakin' country. Feel free to research about it darlin'#cancelkorea I'm a fan of K-pop, drama and other related things about Korea but this is ???????? pic.twitter.com/40BhZILFCf

— mae4812 (@xomaexo99) September 8, 2020

This is my Lolo, a Korean war veteran. He was so happy when he visited South Korea again last year and got chance to offer flowers to our fallen heroes. Filipino soldiers died for your country. REMEMBER THAT. ???? #cancelkorea pic.twitter.com/C55pxWyQxH

— AK (@akitabaquero) September 8, 2020

#cancelkorea #apoligizekorea

"Filipinos are POOR , Non-EDUCATED PEOPLE , SMALL PEOPLE , SMALL MINDED ,PLASTICS , UGLY," me:

Can somebody tell me, is there a korean who was crowned as Miss Universe, Miss World, or Miss International? pic.twitter.com/cRZx4GdWHe

— Ken Ken (@kent_lorenz) September 9, 2020

As of this writing, #CancelKorea is the top trending topic on Twitter with over 183,000 tweets. 

According to a report on CNN in 2019, the South Korea's parliamentary committee for sports wanted the Rising Sun flag to be banned from venues at Japan's Tokyo Olympics because "it is viewed in South Korea as a symbol of Japanese 'imperialism and militarism.'" —JCB, GMA News