K-pop has had its fair share of cultural appropriation. From hair in dreadlocks to The Curry Song, many idols have walked over the line from cultural appreciation to appropriation, causing an uproar among fans. The latest to get accused of this is SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu. He was spotted wearing a black scarf-like garment called the durag over his head, and many netizens took issue with the same. Read more about it below!
SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu Wears Durag During Group Livestream, Fans Are Not Impressed
A durag is a protective headgear, mainly used by African-American (aka black) communities to preserve braided hair. While wearing the garment is inherently not appropriation, fans were miffed that Mingyu had been using it as a fashion statement.
On March 29, SEVENTEEN took to Weverse Live to talk to fans. Laypersons were unsure about what the 29-year-old singer had wrapped around his head, as it looked like a different kind of scarf. However, it turns out that it was a durag, as some Black fans were quick to point out.
This is not the first time that Mingyu has been spotted wearing it. On March 16, 2026, he posted a series of pictures on Instagram showing him on an escalator. Here, too, he had wrapped the same durag around his head and neck, and many netizens seemed upset that he was using it for fashion without understanding its implications.
A netizen pointed out that he had tied it incorrectly. They added that one “should really listen to black people” about this. Another said the durag was important to the black community. It wasn’t just something fashionable. Therefore, many thought he needed to be educated about the same.
All in all, most fans seem willing to educate Mingyu about the durag’s significance. In a world where information is available at one’s fingertips, such issues must be addressed with grace and respect. One hopes the SEVENTEEN member takes it seriously.
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