'Abnormal Summit' angers Korean and Chinese netizens after playing controversial Japanese anthem 'Kimigayo' on air

On the October 27 broadcast of JTBC's 'Abnormal Summit', Japanese representative and CROSS GENE member Takuya was absent due to a conflicting schedule. Japanese actor Hitomitsu Takada took his place; however, viewers were alarmed when during the actor's introduction, the background music began to play the controversial Japanese national anthem "Kimigayo".

"Kimigayo" was originally the anthem of the Empire of Japan and it has a negative stigma among Korean and Chinese people. During World War II, Japan had forced its colonized countries to sing the anthem, including Korea and China. The anthem was replaced at the conclusion of World War II in 1945, however, it was brought back as the official national anthem later on in 1999.

This marks 'Abnormal Summit's second "Kimigayo" controversy, as they played the tune back in July during the first episode when introducing regular member Takuya.

Despite 'Abnormal Summit's apology for their mistake, the program's webpage has been flooded with complaints, with some netizens commenting, "How could this kind of song be on broadcast," "My ears suspected something," and, "This isn't a problem that can end with just an apology." Sponsorship and advertisement deals made with the program have also been suspended due to this controversy.

The controversy has even reached outside countries. When Japanese media outlet Sankei Sports reported the incident, Japanese netizens seemed to respond that the Korean netizens were overreacting, saying, "Thank you for letting people know about Japan's 'Kimigayo'," "Isn't this obviously a scene where the 'Kimigayo' should be played?", and, "A Japanese person came out so they should think that this is natural."

When Chinese media Sina reported the news, however, Chinese netizens were just as angry as Korean netizens, saying, "Even if a Japanese person appeared, 'Kimigayo' symbolizes the period during which Korean and Chinese people were massacred," "Is a song that came out during a period when Chinese and Korean people were harassed supposed to be good? We have to abolish that song again," and, "Those who forget about history have no future. We have to remember this through this 'Kimigayo' controversy."