Netizens are still outraged.
2 hours ago
A fifth-generation girl group has sparked heated discourse on social media over their rendition of the Korean national anthem at a baseball game.
The controversy originally stemmed from an event last year, when RESCENE, the group in question, made an appearance at a KBO League baseball game between the KT Wiz and the Kiwoom Heroes. The group’s Japanese member, Minami, made history that day by becoming the first foreign singer to perform the national anthem at a professional Korean baseball game.
RESCENE, singing the national anthem at the baseball match
The performance recently resurfaced on X (formerly Twitter), with a fan praising Minami for all the effort she put into it. Thanks to RECENE’s recent uptick in popularity, the post garnered huge attention, drawing scathing reactions from Korean netizens.
While most critics acknowledged that Minami sang the national anthem well, they took issue with the fact that a Japanese idol was leading it, when RESCENE has Korean members who could have done it instead. The controversy spiraled into a heated debate about nationalism, and the original post was eventually deleted.
너무 잘 부르지만
외국인한테 애국가 제창 대표로 시키지말자
실례같음 https://t.co/4Liqd1E3w5
— 말차 (@bismeoli) June 3, 2026
She sang it beautifully, but let’s not have a foreigner serve as the representative to lead the national anthem. It feels a bit disrespectful.
— The post above
한국도 참 대단한 게 일본인을 중앙에 두고 애국가를 부르게 한다는 게 참 ㅎㅎ. 반대로 한국인이 일본 애국가 부르면 매국노 소리나 듣겠지? https://t.co/4unwSPYsgm
— 버니버니 (@ijym2d) June 3, 2026
Korea really is something else—having a Japanese person stand center stage and sing the national anthem…Conversely, if a Korean were to sing the Japanese national anthem, they’d probably just get called a traitor, wouldn’t they?
— The post above
아니 미나미 노래 잘하는거 알거있지만 왜 굳이굳이 외국멤버한테 애국가 시킨건가요…? 리브라도 되잖아 https://t.co/KycXTDgrTx
— ✨ (@lv_jeonghan) June 3, 2026
I know Minami sings well, but why did they make a foreign member sing the national anthem? Liv could have done it, too?
— The post above
우리나라 사람이 메이저리그 가서
미국 국가 부르는 거는 자랑스러운 일이고
한국인4 외국인1인 그룹이 애국가 부르는 거는 실례임? https://t.co/zepskIerBe
— 단 (@eks_0q) June 4, 2026
It’s a matter of pride when a Korean goes to the Major Leagues and sings the U.S. national anthem, but it’s considered rude when a group consisting of four Koreans and one foreigner sings the Korean national anthem?
— The post above
뭔 기미가요 부른것도 아니고 애국가 부른거가지고 난리인거 ㅈㄴ띠용이다 한글도 아무나 배울수잇듯이 애국가도 아무나 부를수잇는거야 한국 사랑하면 누구나 한국인될수잇는거라고 https://t.co/slml7405QC
— 국수부친개 (@mmmeow39) June 3, 2026
It absolutely baffles me that people are making such a huge fuss. It’s not like she sang the Japanese national anthem; she sang the Korean national anthem! Just as anyone can learn the Korean language, anyone can sing the national anthem. If you love Korea, anyone can become Korean.
— The post above
아니근데 일본인이 이렇게 부른다고 미나미 ㅅㄹㅎ https://t.co/vpNh8063RS
— ㅗ (@o8395535718482) June 3, 2026
No, but what do you mean a Japanese person is singing like this? Minami, I love you!
— The post above
Back in April 2025, when Minami actually sang the Korean national anthem at the match, she received high praise for her respectful handling of the responsibility. Though some questioned this choice, the renewed outrage appears to be triggered by RESCENE’s sudden rise in popularity.
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