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View all search resultsSEAblings unite online against racist attacks from Knetz
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South Korean K-pop group “Hearts2Hearts“ performs on April 30, 2025, during a K-pop concert as part of the Seoul Spring Festa 2025 at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul. (AFP/Jung Yeon-je)
W
hat started as a ruckus at a K-pop concert in Malaysia has snowballed into a wave of racist online attacks by some South Korean users against Southeast Asians, triggering a rare show of regional solidarity across social media.
The controversy traces back to a Jan. 31 concert by South Korean band DAY6 in Kuala Lumpur, where Malaysian fans circulated videos of a Korean fan site operator allegedly sneaking a professional camera into the venue despite explicit restrictions.
The footage sparked heated debate online.
Some South Korean netizens, commonly referred to as Knetz, accused fans of violating privacy norms by sharing the individual’s face, while Malaysian fans argued that foreign attendees should respect local rules.
Tensions escalated when Knetz told Southeast Asian fans to “mind their own business,” with one post suggesting they should support artists from their own countries instead.
The remark prompted Southeast Asian users to draw attention to regional talent, including Indonesian girl group No Na, which debuted under international label 88rising.
