Through her agency Dream Tea Entertainment, Hyeri remarked on May 2nd, “I bow my head and sincerely apologize for not being more cautious, and also for causing anxiety and concern. I will be sure that this does not happen again in the future.”
“I just saw that it said ‘My Shirt Will Help Japan’, and I simply thought it meant that we should assist the victims of the earthquake in Japan,” she continued. “I did not recognize the pattern, and this is a blunder for which I have no excuse. I once again deeply apologize.”
The shirt was sent to Hyeri as a thank you gift from her overseas fans after Girl’s Day’s free performance in Sendai, Japan, which was held in response to the Japanese earthquake. Hyeri wore the shirt two weeks ago at an event rehearsal that was held in Korea.
A representative from their agency remarked, “All of us at the company, Hyeri herself, and the other members would like to convey our deepest apologizes. We will be more cautious in the future.”
The pattern on Hyeri’s shirt resembles the ‘Rising Sun’ Imperial Japanese war flag (not to be confused with the official flag of Japan). It was “heavily used during the colonization of East Asia in the first-half of the 20th century, it is seen offensive to countries that were under control of Japan at that time, especially because of the war crimes that were committed.“ The ‘Rising Sun’ flag is one that is considered extremely taboo in both China & Korea as it is the flag that symbolizes the painful memories of the past.
In related news, Girl’s Day will be holding an independent concert in Japan May 2nd and 6th.
