Suzy's new Coupang Play drama, "Anna," is now facing a huge controversy from Chinese netizens for allegedly making it look like the country is only making counterfeit items. However, the show reportedly based the event on a real-life situation that turned out to be big news in South Korea in 2006.
The scene in question was seen in "Anna" Episode 2, where Suzy's character, Yumi, went to a second-hand designer shop to sell a watch given to her. However, the shop's employee told her the item was worthless and even made news for being fake.
"Didn't you know? This watch was made in China, but they labeled it 'Swiss Made' because they had one nail in the watch from Switzerland," the employee said in the show. The watch was said to be for sale for 8 million KRW or more than $6,000, but it only cost 100,000 KRW or over $70 to make.
From there, the term "Suzy's new drama 'Anna' controversy" became a number one trend on China's social media platform Weibo on Thursday, June 30. Chinese netizens expressed their anger as the drama seemed to imply that China-made products were all counterfeit items, Koreaboo noted.
One fan said Koreans' altruism is only as big as their country's size. Others said the K-drama is becoming unbearable to watch and doesn't have a market in China anymore; that's why they can say bad things about the country.
Some are disappointed with Suzy for doing that scene, though many come to her defense, saying she's only playing her role.
AllKpop noted that the scene in "Anna" was based on a real-life Vincent & Co. incident that became a big controversy in South Korea in 2006. The said brand was selling "cheaply made" watches using parts from China but making it look like a high-luxury brand that European royal families used.
The brand quickly gained prominence among the wealthy class and second-generation Chaebols, but news emerged that its watches only used parts made in China and assembled in Switzerland to have the mark "Swiss Made."
The brand would then re-import the watches and sell them as "high-end Swiss-made luxury watches." "Anna" made sure to reveal the watch's brand to show that it was based on the Vincent & Co. controversy.
Elsewhere, Korean netizens also got back at Chinese netizens for watching "Anna" illegally, knowing the show was only officially distributed in South Korea and could only be seen through Coupang Play. With that said, the network had no plans to take action for it, saying the series was currently only serviced in South Korea.
