Stephen Chow’s Highly Anticipated ‘Kung Fu Soccer’ Stirs Major Controversy Over Portrayal of Korean Women’s Team
The Chinese actor and director Stephen Chow’s film Kung Fu Soccer, a sequel to Shaolin Soccer, has sparked controversy for scenes that seem to belittle the South Korean women’s soccer team.
Despite its massive box office success, grossing approximately ₩132 billion KRW (about $88.7 million USD) within three days of its release according to Chinese media, the film is facing widespread criticism. This comedic follow-up to the 2001 hit Shaolin Soccer depicts a struggling women’s soccer team transforming through martial arts, aiming for a heartwarming underdog story. However, the narrative has taken a deeply problematic turn.
Controversial Portrayal: “Ewha Women’s Soccer Team”
The core of the backlash stems from numerous scenes in both the trailer and the movie that appear to deliberately degrade the Korean women’s soccer team. A particularly egregious example is the “Ewha Women’s Soccer Team,” a clear nod to Korea’s prestigious Ewha Womans University. This fictional team is depicted resorting to “foul soccer” with cowardly tricks, and its players are shown focusing more on makeup and wearing circle lenses than on their actual game. Even attempts at “B-grade sensibility” fall flat, with awkward Korean dialogue only adding to the cringe-factor.
A Disturbing Pattern of Insensitivity
This isn’t an isolated incident. Professor Seo Kyung Duk of Sungshin Women’s University highlighted a similar controversy during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where a short-track skating film, ‘Fly, Light on Ice,’ controversially portrayed Korean athletes as “foul kings.” Professor Seo firmly stated, “Even if it’s a fictional film, continuously insulting Korean sports in subjects like short track and soccer is truly wrong.”
Call for Correction Ahead of Overseas Release
Professor Seo delivered a stern warning, emphasizing the need for immediate action. “Ahead of the film’s overseas release this August, incorrect parts must be corrected, and no more boundary-crossing metaphors should cause harm to neighboring countries.” The call for correction resonates strongly, especially within the global K-Pop community which often champions cultural respect and understanding. This incident serves as a stark reminder that humor should never come at the expense of belittling another nation or its people. K-Pop fans worldwide are watching closely, hoping for a resolution that respects South Korea’s athletes and cultural identity.
