#it always felt like it was reserved for native hindi speakers

[yslkook]

I was wondering since you’re desi what’s your opinion on Indian cultural appropriation in kpop? How is it being a desi fan but also being a kpop fan? A lot of people say that some Indian fans overreact when their faves wear bindis or maang tikkas because other Indian fans aren’t offended. And some people claim that it isn’t even Indian culture. I hope you don’t mind me asking this?

hello, i def dont mind and i dont mind discussing things like this. as a general statement though, at the end of the day, these people are not my friends. i (and everyone else) dont know what they care about and what they dont care about- and im tired of people giving them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to straight up cultural appropriation. all i know and can comment on is their actions, or lack thereof. ill be honest, im pretty new to kpop in general. but you dont have to be an old fan to see how deep this runs. i cant say how much of this is pure, genuine ignorance though...all i can hope for is that they listen when people speak up.

as a south asian fan...it frustrates me for two diff reasons. 1. because cultural appropriation is not ok, we are in 2021, and these companies/idols need to do better, and people dont get to dictate when they are upset that their culture is being appropriated 2. i hope that we can discuss cultural appropriation across all cultures without focusing on only indian cultural appropriation

i don't think it's anyone's place to say that indians or hindus are overreacting when they're upset that kpop idols with no connection to being indian or hindu or south asian wear bindis or maang tikkas, even if not every single indian person is offended by it. idk who's claiming that bindis are not native to the indian subcontinent LMAO because they definitely are. and also a lot of hindus in south east asia wear bindis too.

for me PERSONALLY....when i see people who are not south asian or hindu wearing the bindi or the maang tikka, i kinda just side eye them and am like okay...why are you doing this...like when i saw miss jennie wearing a bindi in the one music video, i was like okay...the one individual, isolated instance didnt make me super upset. BUT HOWEVER when you compound everything and ask WHY do people feel that its ok to culturally appropriate like this when 1. no type of acknowledgement is given 2. your FANS are hurt in the process 3. it's clearly done for the aesthetic an no other reason... idk what to say other than it's messed up

and also for ME, i have a bone to pick with this because the same things that i and other south asians have been ostracized for are being touted like this for what?? for the aesthetic?

tbh the whole issue of cultural appropriation in general in kpop is a HUGE problem. of black culture (i mean....this one is obvious), indigenous culture (bts and their teepee in that one video idk where from), and its sad that despite the blatant instances of it, people will continue to coddle their idols and ignore the issue. how many kpop groups have apologized for wearing blackface? using slurs? how many idols have worn locs or dreads?

if youre gonna use the aesthetic of a culture that is not yours you better be prepared to face the callouts and repercussions. i just think if kpop has become as global at is has, it's their responsibility to be aware of how these things upset their fans. and also, kpop is so heavily influenced by western sounds...i.e.: rap, hip-hop, rnb. i do not think that it's asking too much for these idols and entertainment companies to get a fucking clue, especially considering how pervasive kpop has become in recent years.

maybe someone can argue that pointing these things out is so very american or western...that not everything is about americans or westerners...but how is that a defense when other people of color are continuously hurt

here are some examples of south asian cultural appropration in kpop

here is another article abt black cultural appropriation in kpop. one of the comments pissed me off lol