Zhou Jieqiong (周洁琼) debuted in 2016 under the name Kyulkyung as a member of the Korean girl group, Pristin, and later in the group, I.O.I, after placing sixth in the Mnet survival series, “PRODUCE 101”. After the group disbanded, Zhou Jieqiong joined back Pristin before they disbanded in 2019. Since 2018, Zhou Jieqiong had already started promoting as a solo artist in China. However, Zhou Jieqiong was in the hot seat recently when netizens brought up an old interview she did back when she was promoting as an idol in Korea that led to Chinese netizens saying she doesn’t love her country and that her political views aren’t aligned with her native people.
A 2018 interview of Zhou Jieqiong on a Korean radio show started going viral on November 13. On the show, the host asked Zhou Jieqiong, “I heard you would occasionally forget you are Chinese.” Zhou Jieqiong responded back, “It’s true.” and explained that she had lived in Korea for 8 years already and there are times she realized she doesn’t understand the Korean culture.
Zhou Jieqiong also added, “I am Chinese so it’s normal not to know.” Fellow Pristin member, Rena, revealed Zhou Jieqiong had once said, “I want to go abroad.”, but she questioned her, saying, “But is Korea also abroad to you?” Zhou Jieqiong responded, “The abroad I am referring to is the even farther away countries in Europe and the US.”
On November 14, Zhou Jieqiong’s studio issued a statement saying someone had maliciously edited the clip to be taken out of context. They also expressed that Zhou Qiejiong “has always deeply loved the motherland and never forgot the original intentions. Her position and principles won’t change and can’t be questioned.”
Chinese netizens pompous rectitude is completely out of control. The media need to ignore their hysterics.
Not to be mean or anything but, I see how she can forget she’s chinese and her culture due to being in korea for long.
I also love Zhou Jieqiong very much and hope she’s doing fine now.