The BlackPink concert organizers in Vietnam involved in the 'cow tongue line' attracts international media

In recent days, the organizers of the BlackPink concert in Vietnam have caused a stir in public opinion when they made a move that was considered to support the 'cow tongue line' and forced the authorities to intervene. This incident was quickly reported by Reuters as well as news channels and sites such as: MBC News, Straits Times, SCMP, The Telegraph ...

Initially, BlackPink's concert in Hanoi at the end of July 2023 received a warm response in Vietnam but quickly caused controversy because the organizers were involved in the issue of the "cow tongue line" map.

AFP

The information that the organizers of the BlackPink concert in Vietnam were involved in the "cow tongue line" map (nine-dash line) not only caused a stir in domestic public opinion but also received attention from international media.

On July 7, Reuters published an article with the title: “Vietnam probes Blackpink concert organiser over South China Sea map”. The world's leading news agency reported: Vietnam has inspected the website of the tour organiser of Kpop group BlackPink, ahead of the group's performance in Hanoi, after many fans criticized the company's website for displaying a map of the "cow tongue line".

The site said the incident occurred after Vietnam decided to ban the film Barbie because it contained the “nine-dash line” image. In addition, Reuters quoted IME’s explanation as well as updated the actions of Vietnamese authorities regarding the incident. In addition, the news agency also provided background information about the “cow tongue line” element.

Reuters published an article about Vietnamese authorities verifying the BlackPink concert organizers' "cow lazy road" map. The information in this article has been cited or reposted by many international news sites.

SCREEN CAPTURE

Australian news agency ABC also published an article with similar content.

SCREEN CAPTURE

Meanwhile, ABC news agency (Australia) also published an article with similar content to the Reuters news. In addition, this unit quoted the statement of Ms. Pham Thu Hang - Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs : "Promoting and using products and publications with the 'nine-dash line' in Vietnam is a violation of regulations and is not accepted in Vietnam".

ABC also mentioned that many fans in Vietnam announced a boycott of BlackPink's performance in Hanoi and made strong statements about territorial sovereignty through social networks.

Articles with similar content also appeared on a series of international news sites (channels): SCMP (Hong Kong), MBC News, Chosun (Korea), The Telegraph (India), Straits Times (Singapore)...

Many audiences declared to boycott BlackPink's concert in Vietnam.

BLACKPINK FACEBOOK

A few days ago, Vietnamese netizens discovered that the official fanpage of IME Music Company Limited (abbreviated as IME Vietnam) linked to the parent company's website, which contained an image of the illegal "cow tongue line" map. The incident immediately caused a stir in public opinion, with many people criticizing IME Vietnam for supporting images that violate Vietnam's territorial sovereignty. Many audiences even declared a boycott of BlackPink's concert in Vietnam organized by this unit.

In response to the public backlash, on the afternoon of July 6, IME Vietnam officially spoke up, saying that their representatives had worked directly and sent an official dispatch explaining the incident to the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and related ministries and agencies.

This side also explained that the website spreading the image of the "cow tongue line" is a joint website of regional offices in Asia and is not the official website of the Vietnamese company.

"The map images on the website do not represent any national territory and we are aware of the need to respect the sovereignty and culture of all countries where IME is present. IME has quickly reviewed and committed to replacing images that are inappropriate for the Vietnamese people," said Mr. Brian Chow - CEO of IME.

Regarding the above issue, Ms. Pham Thu Hang - Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared at a press conference on the afternoon of July 6 that Vietnamese authorities are verifying the information. Many audiences declared a boycott of BlackPink's concert in Vietnam.

Thanhnien.vn