The K-pop girl group BLACKPINK (Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, Lisa) has been embroiled in a controversy involving a map of the South China Sea, reflecting China's territorial claims. Despite this, the group will proceed with their scheduled performance in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

On July 25, according to Vietnamese local media Vietnamnet, the Hanoi People's Committee has permitted the "Born Pink" world tour concert by BLACKPINK scheduled for July 29th and 30th at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.

The BLACKPINK concert is expected to draw approximately 36,000 attendees on the first day and 31,000 on the second. Consequently, the People's Committee has directed relevant agencies, including the Public Security and Health departments, to establish safety measures and prepare for possible health risks.

Previously, fans in Vietnam pointed out that a map depicting the 'Nine-Dash Line' was shown on the website of iME Entertainment, the event organizer for BLACKPINK's concert. The 'Nine-Dash Line' is a U-shaped line drawn by China claiming roughly 90% of the South China Sea.

The Vietnamese authorities began investigating iME Entertainment on July 6th, and this sparked a boycott movement against the BLACKPINK concert.

In 2016, the International Tribunal ruled that there was "no legal basis" for the "Nine-Dash Line," which resulted in a defeat for China. However, China continues to adopt the "Nine-Dash Line", triggering protests from neighboring countries, including Vietnam.

As the controversy spread, iME Entertainment removed the problematic image. iME Entertainment is a company headquartered in Beijing, China. However, the Vietnamese authorities have previously taken a hardline approach to the "Nine-Dash Line" issue, and it was reported that the Prime Minister's office was reviewing whether to permit the BLACKPINK concert. BLACKPINK, which unexpectedly came under fire due to iME Entertainment's "Nine-Dash Line" controversy, managed to overcome the crisis that nearly led to the cancellation of the concert, allowing them to meet with their local fans.

Previously, the Hollywood movie "Abominable" was banned from screening in Vietnam due to the inclusion of a map featuring the "Nine-Dash Line."

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