Aespa Ningning recently came under controversy after she posted a picture of a lamp that resembled a cloud on social media. Some thought that the decorative lamp looked like a mushroom cloud and was associated with the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs. Japanese netizens then took to online platforms to criticise the Chinese idol and demanded that the group be banned from performing in the country. In a recent statement, SM Entertainment announced that Ningning will not be joining Aespa for their Japanese performance due to poor health. Read on to know more.
Korean Netizens Demand Aespa To Boycott NHK’s Music Show Following Ningning’s Controversy
Aespa Ningning’s controversy in Japan soon got massive, and over 90,000 people signed a petition calling for NHK, a Japanese broadcast channel, to cancel the group’s appearance on the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. NHK then reached out to the group’s company, SM Entertainment, to request clarification, and they responded by stating that Ningning’s post did not contain any political or historical message and was not intended to cause backlash.
Despite the clarification, outrage against the idol only grew deeper. On 29th December, SM Entertainment issued a statement revealing that Aespa NingNing will not attend the NHK show due to ill health. They informed that she had been diagnosed with influenza and was advised by doctors to rest. In the same statement, they also addressed her lamp controversy.
“We have received many comments and concerns regarding content that aespa member NINGNING posted on social media. While the post was not made with any specific purpose or intent, it nonetheless caused concern among some viewers. We will take greater care moving forward,” stated the company.
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However, this news was taken well by Aespa’s Korean fans and netizens who questioned why the group was even attending the Japanese event in the first place. They criticised SM Entertainment for sending the group to the event even after a member had been embroiled in such a big controversy.