Mimi of OH MY GIRL Faces Cultural Appropriation Backlash Following Abu Dhabi Visit
Mimi, a member of the popular K-pop group OH MY GIRL, recently visited Abu Dhabi as part of the Earth Arcade initiative. She shared a series of photos from her trip on social media, including one where she donned traditional garments.
However, her choice of attire sparked backlash from some social media users, who accused her of cultural appropriation. One commenter questioned, “Why don’t y’all want to be Korean? What happened to hanboks and Korean streetwear?”
Despite the criticism, many netizens and fans defended the K-pop star, arguing that her actions exemplified cultural appreciation, not appropriation. “K-pop fans are so misguided; they can’t even distinguish cultural appreciation from cultural appropriation,” one fan remarked.
Support also came from individuals within the Arab and Muslim communities, who praised Mimi for embracing cultural diversity. An Emirati Muslim pointed out that wearing traditional attire is a way to celebrate and share cultures, stating, “As an Emirati Muslim, we have no problem with them exploring our cultures. Cultures are meant to be shared and taught.”
It was clarified that a local shop had dressed Mimi for her social media post, assisting her in selecting her clothes, makeup, and accessories. Fans underscored that such practices are common for tourists in different cultures, noting that others similarly rent hanboks when visiting Korea.
The mix of opinions surrounding Mimi’s attire highlights a deeper issue among international K-pop fans. While members of the culture in question expressed no grievances regarding her actions, the debate largely stemmed from those outside of that cultural context, indicating the complexities involved in discussions of cultural exchange in the global K-pop landscape.
