iME, the organizer for Blackpink's upcoming concerts in Hanoi, has issued an apology after facing a social media backlash for displaying a controversial map on its website. The map in question showcases China's claims over the South China Sea territory, a hotly disputed area.

The K-pop sensation Blackpink has been making headlines for their planned concerts in Vietnam's capital at the end of July, sparking considerable excitement in the city, which is not often a destination for high-profile international performers.

However, social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok lit up earlier this week when users discovered that iME, a Beijing-based event and entertainment firm, used a map featuring the "nine-dash line" on its homepage. China has long utilized this line to represent its extensive territorial claims in the resource-rich South China Sea, a stance often met with disapproval from Hanoi, which also stakes a claim over parts of these waters.

In response to this, some users called for a boycott of the concerts on Blackpink's Vietnam fan club's Facebook page. "In support of Vietnam, we'd better... not attend entertainment shows organised by iME," read one post. Another user added, "This concerns the territorial claim of a country. Although I like Blackpink, we should raise our voice."

Brian Chow, iME's CEO, addressed the controversy on the eve of the ticket sales launch, referring to the situation as an "unfortunate misunderstanding." He stated, "The image of the map on the website does not represent the territory of any country, and we are committed to respecting the sovereignty and culture of all the countries where iME operates." The statement also confirmed that inappropriate images would be promptly replaced.

Further, iME informed that it had submitted a written explanation about the situation to the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and other concerned authorities.

This response came in the wake of Vietnam's Ministry of Culture and Information announcing it would investigate the incident.

Pham Thu Hang, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, admitted during a press conference on Thursday that the upcoming Blackpink concert had become a "hot-button issue". Previously in the week, Vietnamese authorities had prohibited the screening of the forthcoming "Barbie" movie over scenes featuring the same disputed map.

Hang noted, "The promotion and usage of products or publications featuring the 'nine-dash line' in Vietnam violates Vietnam's laws and is unacceptable."

The South China Sea, rich in oil, gas deposits, and essential shipping lanes, is an area of concern for several of China's neighbors who fear Beijing's territorial expansion.

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