Cultural clash: K-pop superstar G-Dragon divides China fans with ‘Lunar New Year’ greetings

K-pop superstar G-Dragon ignited the ire of Chinese netizens with his choice of “Lunar New Year” greetings during a recent performance in Dubai. His reported act of liking a post that supported his terminology afterwards was interpreted as a provocative stance. The controversy emerged on February 17, coinciding with the first day of Chinese New Year. The KRAZY Super Concert, headlined by G-Dragon, featured an array of K-pop artists and pop singers from across Asia, including Indonesian singer Agnez Mo and Chinese pop idol Cai Xukun. On stage, G-Dragon greeted the audience by saying “Lunar New Year” instead of “Chinese New Year,” triggering immediate backlash from many Chinese fans. Online footage shows him stating that the day was “Lunar New Year,” repeating “lunar” three times and prompting the audience to echo “new year” after him. In contrast, when Cai joined the stage as a special guest, he addressed the audience by calling it “Chinese New Year” and invited them to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese. The event was highly anticipated by G-Dragon’s fans, particularly his significant fan base in China, as it marked the Korean superstar’s debut in the Middle East. However, G-Dragon’s use of “Lunar New Year” left many Chinese fans feeling disappointed. One fan shared her experience on social media, stating that she had travelled to Dubai specifically for his live performance and felt let down by his insistence on “Lunar New Year.” The star’s word choice sparked intense discussions online. Many regarded it as a betrayal to his devoted Chinese fans, who collectively bought 770,000 copies of his new album Übermensch last year, representing 56 per cent of its global sales. “Spring Festival originates from China. Please respect its roots and refer to it correctly as Chinese New Year,” one commenter urged. “G-Dragon is such a superstar that he does not care about his Chinese fans,” lamented another. Conversely, some defended the artist, arguing that it is common for non-Chinese individuals who celebrate the New Year to refer to it as “Lunar New Year.” One stated: “It’s understandable for a Korean to use this term.” After the concert, G-Dragon reportedly liked a post advocating for his terminology, prompting outrage among some followers. One commenter expressed disdain online: “G-Dragon provoked the Chinese audience at the concert and then insulted his fans further by liking a supportive post.” Nonetheless, his loyal fans continued to defend him, noting that he had also liked posts that referred to the festival as “Chinese New Year.” “It seems that G-Dragon does not care about offending his Chinese fans because they would buy his album anyway,” satirised one individual. Historically, celebrities whose public actions are perceived as “offending China” often face demands for brands they represent to sever ties, creating a choice between the celebrity and the Chinese market. However, this controversy has not elicited similar reactions regarding G-Dragon’s role as Chanel’s global ambassador. He has previously maintained a favourable relationship with China, having performed in Hong Kong last year and being recognised as Artist of the Year at the 2026 MAMA Awards, an accolade presented by the renowned Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat. The debate between “Chinese New Year” and “Lunar New Year” is an annual occurrence, especially when brands and celebrities extend new year greetings on social media. A careful choice of terminology often draws scrutiny, with those using “Lunar New Year” facing criticism on Chinese social media. For instance, Chinese tech titan Huawei Technologies wished readers a “Lunar New Year” in its new year message, while its US rival Apple opted for “Chinese New Year,” resulting in a viral discussion in China. Earlier, the Chinese tea chain Chagee used “Lunar New Year” in its greetings but later issued an apology. Interestingly, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also used “Lunar New Year” in its new year message. Some in China accept the term as a sign of inclusivity towards other nations celebrating the festival, while others insist on accuracy, rejecting “Lunar New Year” for its perceived inaccuracy. “Chinese New Year derives from the lunisolar calendar, so it is factually incorrect to call it Lunar New Year,” stated one commenter.

Cultural clash: K-pop superstar G-Dragon divides China fans with ‘Lunar New Year’ greetings

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Debate over ‘Chinese New Year’ versus ‘Lunar New Year’ arises annually, particularly when brands, celebrities share new year greetings on social media

Debate over ‘Chinese New Year’ versus ‘Lunar New Year’ arises annually, particularly when brands, celebrities share new year greetings on social media