Former Girls' Generation member Jessica Jung is facing controversy in China due to unverified reports claiming that the star allegedly refused to eat Chinese food and insisted on consuming only kimchi, a popular Korean side dish made of fermented and salted napa cabbage and white radish.

These claims quickly spread across the internet, suggesting that Jessica would exclusively eat meals she brought from Korea with kimchi, while allegedly refusing to consume any Chinese cuisine. Some reports even claimed that the idol complained that there was nothing to eat in China.

"Jessica exclusively ate kimchi during her time in China and didn't touch Chinese food. After returning to Korea, she complained that there was nothing to eat in China."

The validity and origin of these claims remain unclear, but Chinese media outlets have already published articles accusing Jessica of disrespecting Chinese culture. Some of these articles added statements like "According to an entertainment reporter" to lend credibility to the claims.

 

But why has eating kimchi sparked such a controversy in China?

It's important to note that public opinion on Jessica has not necessarily worsened solely due to her alleged consumption of kimchi. While Koreans traditionally eat kimchi, Chinese locals were disappointed by the supposed revelation that the idol was eating meals ordered from Korea, allegedly because "there's nothing to eat in China."

Locals were offended that Jessica reportedly didn't appreciate any Chinese dishes despite spending considerable time in the country. They argued that not eating Chinese food is disrespectful, illogical, and baseless criticism.

Chinese netizens also suggested that Jessica's excessive "pride" in her own culture has become detrimental to her career.

The Impact of the Controversy on Jessica Jung

After departing from Girls' Generation in 2014, Jessica returned to the United States, where she grew up, to expand her lifestyle brand, BLANC & ECLARE. She soon emerged as a leading global fashion icon.

In 2022, Jessica announced her return to the music industry after nearly eight years by participating in the girl group survival show, "Sisters Who Make Waves 3." As a China-based idol, she gained popularity by appearing in various programs.

However, just as she began to rebuild her reputation and gain the trust of Chinese fans, Jessica found herself embroiled in an unexpected controversy.

As a result, observers are now questioning whether this scandal will force Jessica, who has been active in China since leaving Girls' Generation, to halt her career in the country.

Copyright © 2023 Kpop Reporter. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.