“King The Land” Viewers Offended By The Disrespectful And Problematic Representation Of Arabs
King The Land is one of the hottest K-Dramas right now, but it has come under fire for the disrespectful and problematic representation of Arabs during the recent episode.
Since the show started airing, netizens have loved the romantic comedy trope that many have missed from K-Dramas.
Yet, the recent episodes have raised criticism amongst fans.
In episode seven, a new character was introduced and it was a familiar face as the character of Prince Samir, an Arab Prince, was portrayed by Anupam Tripathi, best known for his role as Ali Abdul in Squid Game.
Many netizens loved the character of Prince Samir, especially seeing the return of Anupam Tripathi and some of the small references to Squid Game.
ngl prince Samir will be missed. Pure comedy 😆#킹더랜드 #KingTheLandEp8 #KingTheLand
— 𝐿𝓎𝓁𝒾𝒶 (@gomezsftstyles) July 9, 2023
nawt the squid game reference😭#KingTheLand #KingTheLandEp8 pic.twitter.com/WXrWN8GLms
— aki (@makiathhyo) July 9, 2023
Yet, while many fans loved the character of Prince Samir and the comedy he brought, many fans were angry at the disrespectful way he was portrayed during episode 7 when netizens were first introduced to the character.
When Junho’s character phoned up Prince Samir to persuade him to come to the hotel, he was in a bar surrounded by women.
When the episode aired, many believed the representation of Prince Samir was insulting to Arabs. In particular, not only were they angry that an Indian was cast as an Arab, but many fans pointed out that they portrayed him in a disrespectful way, having him in a bar, with women touching him, and also “obsessed” with women.
What do you want to convey by insulting the Arabs?
🛑We don't drink
🛑We don't go to bars
🛑The men don't touch the women.#JTBCAPOLOGIZE#KdramaOffendsTheArabs pic.twitter.com/cXJql50qb3— 🥈Lana (@3hp_e) July 9, 2023
They brought an Indian actor, put him in Arab traditional clothes, and make him act as if he’s uneducated and obsessed with alcohol and girls… this is extremely disrespectful and offensive. We need an apology.#JTBCAPOLOGIZE#KingTheLandEp7#KingTheLand
pic.twitter.com/TTbpnIBfcL— رين (@areayiein) July 9, 2023
i hate the way us arabs were being portrayed in king the land… Like yes there are arabs that drink and flirt or whatever but the kind of arabs they are portraying are middle eastern were its mostly muslims that don't drink nor touch women.#KingTheLand
— winter. (@utwooi) July 9, 2023
Many even pointed out how much they had been enjoying the K-Drama, but they felt offended and let down by JTBC’s desire to push “stereotypes” and offensive representation within the recent episodes.
King the land was such a good romcom series before ep7… like really do we still have to do these "arab" stereotypes not even talking about them casting an Indian actor as an Arab or the clothes….
— Nano (@selbyulie) July 8, 2023
did king the land team rlly have to add this unnecessary arab prince part and also make him an annoying dumb womanizer 💀 plus the outfits for him and his guards? the bg music? it’s the same old stereotypes mocking arabs for “comedy”
— 𝙖𝙮𝙖⁷ 𓂆 (@muslimbangtan) July 9, 2023
Even on the most recent King The Land post on the Netflix Korea Instagram page, the comments were full of angry netizens.
While JTBC created the show, Netflix is distributing it to global fans. Many used the post to share their upset and how it isn’t comedy to portray the Arab Prince in that way but extremely disrespectful.
Similarly, with tweets posted by JTBC, the quotes were full of angry fans.
you fucking racists until when y’all gonna keep portraying us in such a bad way? We’re in 2023 and y’all still portraying the arab prince as rich, alcoholic and goes to clubs while surrounded by many women, we are sick of the stereotype do better#KdramaOffendsTheArabs https://t.co/Q2zU5518ar
— ★⁵🍀 (@mjjlilac) July 9, 2023
This isn’t the first time they show/ try to distort our culture like this disrespectful/disgusting way in their projects! They totally lack of respect, morality and knowledge #KdramaOffendsTheArabs https://t.co/ryhdTIfZuF
— ライ| RAI 🦊 (@Railino_) July 9, 2023
Yall need to educate yourselves before making dramas. You should delete and apologise for showing Arabs in such image. I'm not watching the drama anymore it was cheap in the first place. #KdramaOffendsTheArabs https://t.co/BPvO9sbOOG
— L 🌴 N A (@teaforlife97) July 9, 2023
Many netizens are asking for the scene to be deleted and an apology from JTBC, but the company has yet to respond to the criticism.
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