Following the backlash received by the government for an antiquated promotional video for the 2030 Busan World Expo bid, another concerning issue has surfaced.

On November 29, The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) announced that Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, would host the 2030 World Expo, with Riyadh securing 119 votes compared to Busan's 29.

In the wake of this decision, the final presentation video used to support Busan's bid has come under intense scrutiny and widespread criticism, especially in the context of the city's unsuccessful bid against Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Revealed at the voting venue on November 28, the promotional video raised eyebrows for featuring prominent figures and using Psy's "Gangnam Style" as its background track. Notably, Gangnam is a district in Seoul, over 300 kilometers away from Busan, which critics quickly pointed out. The video was criticized for its minimal focus on Busan, dedicating only 9 seconds to city scenes, while disproportionately highlighting K-pop and well-known celebrities.

The choice of "Gangnam Style" as the soundtrack attracted significant backlash, with online communities questioning its relevance and labeling it as dated. The video was also criticized for its perceived amateur quality, prompting broader discussions about South Korea's budgetary decisions for the Expo bid. In response to these concerns, President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck Soo acknowledged the shortcomings in leadership and expressed regret over the outcome.

Adding to the controversy was another video produced by KTV, a social media channel run by the Korea Policy Broadcasting Institute. This 50-second piece, created by comedians Kim Sung Ki and Shin Hyung Jae and hosted on KTV's YouTube channel, faced criticism for its portrayal of Saudi Arabia.

In the contentious video, two characters are portrayed as "AI," representing South Korea and Saudi Arabia. The South Korean "AI" is shown wearing a hanbok, a traditional Korean attire, while the Saudi Arabian "AI" is depicted with a stereotypical headwear. Both characters are asked, "Which country do you think will host the 2030 World Expo?" In response, the character representing Saudi Arabia repeatedly states, 'Saudi Arabia,' but without offering any detailed reasoning. In contrast, the South Korean "AI" provides a comprehensive and articulate explanation, outlining South Korea's qualifications as a potential host for the 2030 World Expo.

The video has faced significant backlash online, with many users criticizing it as racist. The portrayal of the Saudi Arabian AI, particularly the use of a towel as a turban, was seen as a form of mockery towards Saudi Arabia.

Korean netizens criticized, "Are they crazy?" "Did they really think that is funny?" "This is going to bring shame to Korea," "That is so racist," "The video is not even funny," "I'm so embarrassed," "They ruined the presentation video, and now this?" "This was posted on KTV's Instagram too," "This is the type of humor people of Ilbe enjoys," "disgusting," "They're such incels," "They put no effort in this video," "Did they really think it was ok to post this video?" "They're so low," and "Wow, the level of these people."

Following the heavy criticism, the video was taken down from all accounts related to KTV.