Vietnamese video regulatory authority to review series for violation of law
"Squid Game" season two, Netflix Korea's biggest show, is facing backlash from Vietnamese audiences over a remark that implied South Korean soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War achieved a commendable feat.
The controversial scene features Dae-ho (played by Kang Ha-neul), explaining his background to Jeong-bae (played by Lee Seo-hwan), a senior Marine Corps officer he encounters during the deadly games.
When Jeong-bae comments, “Your family sent its only son to the Marine Corps? You must have been a precious child," Dae-ho explains, “My father sent me to toughen me up. He was a Vietnam War veteran.” Jeong-bae then responds, “Your father must be an honorable man.”
The dialogue has sparked criticism among Vietnamese viewers, who argue that praising South Korean soldiers as “honorable” for their involvement in the Vietnam War is inappropriate. Some have even called for a boycott of the series, demanding that the show be banned in Vietnam.
Vietnam Plus, a Vietnamese media outlet, reported that the Vietnamese video regulatory authority would be reviewing the case. "After careful review and evaluation, we will provide an official response and conclusion,” the media outlet quoted an official as saying, “If 'Squid Game 2' has violated the law, we will handle it in accordance with the law," the official was further quoted as saying.
The Vietnam War, from 1955 to 1975, saw South Korea deploy 320,000 troops at the request of the United States. From Vietnamese perspectives, the South Korean military is often seen as an external force that intervened in their civil war.
"Squid Game 2" is not the first Korean series to spark controversy in Vietnam over references to the Vietnam War.
In 2022, tvN Korean drama "Little Women" was removed from Netflix Vietnam after reaching the number one spot. The controversy arose around the character, Chairman Won Ki-sun, who was depicted as a soldier who fought in the Vietnam War, with his military achievements during the war being described as having earned "military merit." This statement provoked a strong backlash from Vietnamese audiences.
Although Korean shows in the past have stirred controversy over historical issues, "Little Women" was the first to be removed from Netflix. According to Netflix, the decision to pull "Little Women" from Netflix Vietnam came after a request from the Vietnamese government.
Regarding the fate of "Squid Game" season 2, Netflix officials on Monday stated that they could not provide an official comment. However, they confirmed that the series is currently ranked as the most-watched series in Vietnam.
