TWICE Halts Chinese Activities in Light of Nationality Controversy Surrounding Member Tzuyu

TWICE is temporarily halting activities in China.

TWICE member Tzuyu, born and raised in Taiwan, is at the center of a controversy that has compelled the girl group’s agency, JYP Entertainment, to issue a formal statement through its Weibo account.

Tzuyu, along with other non-Korean members from her group appeared on the internet broadcast/ variety show “My Little Television” last November. During the program, Tzuyu held up a Taiwanese flag to show her nationality. Member Mina, Sana, and Momo did the same for their country, Japan. Tzuyu’s action was picked up by the Taiwanese singer Huang An, who opposes Taiwanese independence from China, and he described Tzuyu on his Weibo account as a Taiwanese independence supporter.

The issue of Taiwanese independence is a more controversial than usual with the upcoming presidential elections for the country, and Tzuyu and TWICE have been caught in the thick of heated emotions and politics. TWICE has already recorded for Beijing TV’s Lunar New Year special, but the group’s appearance in the actual broadcast is reported to be edited out.

In response to the controversy, JYP China stated on it official Weibo account, “Until the misunderstanding has been resolved, we will halt TWICE’s activities in China.” It continued, “JYP is a company in the cultural business, not a company with a political position. Considering Tzuyu is only 16 years old and her education, she is not at the age where she can act with a political motive.” JYP further elaborated, “Because people are saying we are hostile toward China, our partners in China are experiencing difficulty with work related business and duties. Until the truth is revealed, we will halt Chinese activities.”

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