Anti-Korean Wave in Japan turns political

Despite Bae Yong-joon’s continued demigod status in Japan and K-Pop’s domination on the Oricon charts these days, it seems that some Japanese have had enough of weepy Korean soap operas and Korean idols. 
 

Although the exact numbers vary according to media outlets, Chosun Ilbo reported that 500 demonstrators gathered outside Fuji TV headquarters on Aug 7, ostensibly to protest the broadcaster’s perpetuation of the Korean Wave. 

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Popular Japanese actor Sousuke Takaoka, 29, of “Battle Royale” fame first sparked controversy when he tweeted anti-Hallyu sentiments last month. “I’ll never watch Channel 8 (Fuji TV) again,” he said. “I often think it’s Korean TV. Japanese people want traditional Japanese programs.” 

When Takaoka was reportedly dropped from his agency following his Tweets, critics of Korean pop culture and right-wing nationalists organized the rally via the Internet. 

Twitter spread word of the anti-Hallyu charge, which took on a political slant as some protesters whipped out Japanese flags and chanted “Long live the emperor” while others belted out the Japanese national anthem.