Starring Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won, the K-drama Tempest has taken the world by storm, with many viewers praising its storyline and the chemistry between the lead actors. Many call it the top K-drama of 2025, as viewership numbers keep soaring higher. However, now the K-drama has sparked a major controversy in China over a line spoken by Jun Ji-hyun’s character. This has led to a widespread boycott of the actress in China. Read on to know more.
How A Single Scene In Jun Ji Hyun’s Tempest Has Triggered Massive Backlash In China
It all began with the scene in Tempest where Jun Ji-hyun’s character says, “Why does China have a preference for war?” This line upset many viewers in China, who found it offensive.
As per the BBC, not just this line, Chinese netizens also pointed out other parts of the show where they felt disrespected. One of those includes the scenes which were meant to show Dalian, a Chinese city but were allegedly filmed in Hong Kong.
Another issue arose from a scene where characters sit at a table on a red carpet with yellow stars. Many viewers thought this looked too much like China’s flag, which they found insulting.
Additionally, as per Koreaboo, the show’s villains often speak Chinese, and Jun Ji-hyun’s character misreads a famous poem by Li Bai. The fans criticised her accent and called it inaccurate.
Following which, many netizens demanded that brands linked to Jun Ji-hyun take action. As a result, Piaget, a luxury brand, reportedly took down ads featuring the actress from Chinese shopping sites.
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However, some fans have come to the actress’s defence. They said that she shouldn’t be blamed for the show’s content. Well, this heated discussion continues to divide fans, with Tempest remaining a hot topic both for its popularity and the ongoing controversy surrounding it.
Image Credits: Disney+
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