Singer G-Dragon sparked online debate after offering a New Year greeting during his performance in the United Arab Emirates. When he used the term “Lunar New Year,” some Chinese netizens objected, insisting the holiday should be referred to as “Chinese New Year.”
Professor Seo Kyoungduk of Sungshin Women’s University recently addressed the controversy through his social media. According to Seo, G Dragon used the phrase “Lunar New Year” while greeting the audience at the ‘Crazy Super Concert,’ a music festival held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on February 17 local time.
The debate reportedly intensified because Chinese idol Cai Xukun, who also performed at the same event, greeted fans using the term “Chinese New Year.” Some Chinese fans compared the two expressions and criticized G Dragon over his choice of wording.
Professor Seo responded to the claims, stating, “The groundless and unreasonable assertions from some Chinese netizens are becoming more severe,” and emphasized that “Lunar New Year is not a culture belonging solely to China, but one shared across various Asian countries.” He added, “Without being conscious of Chinese fans’ reactions, G Dragon used the correct expression, showing himself to be a true global star.”
Seo also referenced a post from The New York Times’ official social media account, which explained that the holiday is widely celebrated across multiple Asian nations — known as Chun Jie in China, Seollal in Korea, and Tet in Vietnam — underscoring its broader cultural significance beyond a single country.
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