K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation member Tiffany has become the public’s target over the ‘Rising Sun’ flag controversy on SNS. The singer’s post was met with widespread public criticism as she posted an image containing the pattern of a Rising Sun flag, the symbol of Japan’s military colonialism during World War II, over the text ‘Tokyo Japan’ on August 15, the National Liberation Day of Korea. Although she deleted the controversial post and posted a handwritten apology on the SNS on the same day of the outbreak of the affair, it was insufficient to stop the public’s ruthless attacks. Her apology was derided by many for not mentioning the reason why sharing the Rising Sun Flag design is improper. Some also questioned whether her agency had written the apology letter for her to avoid stirring up any debate among the group’s Japanese fans.
Controversies surrounding celebrities’ historical knowledge arise frequently, including the one related to 안중근, a independence fighter who assassinated Hirobumi Ito, the Japanese resident-general of Korea. Last May, Seolhyun and Jimin from K-pop girl group AOA have sparked a debate between the citizens over a picture of 안중근, who the two stars have failed to recognize in the variety show "Channel AOA". This had given a huge damage to the image of Korea’s one of the hottest female idols despite their apologies posted on SNS.
Continuous incidents revealing celebrities’ low quality of historical knowledge aroused discussions over what has caused their "horrendous level of historical knowledge". And simultaneously, other people are seeing this rather a sign to remind ourselves whether we are teaching the kids right about Korean history.