James ‘Zhao Yufan’, the Taiwanese-born member of rookie boy group CORTIS, is under fire from Chinese netizens following his acceptance speech at the 2025 MAMA Awards. The controversy centers on the fact that James spoke only in English and Korean, despite being of Taiwanese descent, prompting questions about his language choice and identity.
During CORTIS’s emotional acceptance of the Best New Artist Award, James delivered his remarks fluently in Korean and English, thanking fans and the team for their support. However, some netizens in China took issue with the absence of even a single word in Chinese.
“Does he even know Chinese?” one comment read. Others questioned whether James acknowledged the support from Chinese fans, expressing disappointment that he didn’t attempt to include Mandarin, even briefly.
Some netizens also compared him to other idols who, despite not being fluent, still made efforts to speak Chinese during major international events. The tone of criticism escalated, with some harsh remarks targeting James’s mixed Thai heritage and family background, igniting further online tension.
On the other side, James’s fans defended him, stating that the choice of language is entirely up to the artist. They emphasized that the MAMA Awards is a globally broadcast event, and using more widely understood languages like English and Korean can help ensure greater accessibility and reach.
“It’s about connecting with a diverse audience,” one supporter wrote. “Let’s not politicize a simple speech choice.”
This incident adds another layer of complexity to the rising geopolitical sensitivities in K-pop, especially as more idols navigate multilingual and multicultural identities under the global spotlight.
Sources: Netizenbuzz