Racism Claims Erupt After DAY6 Concert in Kuala Lumpur
February 23, 2026
JAKARTA – What began as a dispute at a K-pop concert in Malaysia has escalated into a wave of racist online attacks by some South Korean users against Southeast Asians, prompting a rare display of regional solidarity across social media.
The controversy originated from a January 31, 2026, concert by South Korean band DAY6 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian fans shared videos online of a Korean fan site operator allegedly attempting to bring a professional camera into the venue, violating established restrictions.
Escalating Tensions and Online Backlash
The footage ignited debate online. Some South Korean netizens accused fans of breaching privacy by sharing the individual’s image, while Malaysian fans asserted that all attendees should adhere to local regulations. The situation worsened when some Korean netizens told Southeast Asian fans to “mind their own business,” with one post suggesting they support artists from their own countries.
This remark spurred Southeast Asian users to highlight regional talent, including Indonesian girl group No Na, which debuted under the 88rising label. The exchange turned hostile as Korean users mocked the group’s music video, portraying its rural setting as indicative of limited production resources. Further attacks targeted Southeast Asians’ appearance, culture, and economic status, framing international fans as inferior consumers of K-pop.
Regional Solidarity and Counter-Responses
Southeast Asian users swiftly retaliated, uniting under the hashtag “SEAblings.” They responded with criticism directed at South Korea’s low birth rate, suicide statistics, and cosmetic surgery culture. Some fans cautioned against responding to racism with reciprocal prejudice, noting that many provocations originated from individuals seeking to incite reactions.
Digital analyst Rizal Nova Mujahid of Drone Emprit observed a strong sense of shared identity among Southeast Asians, shaped by experiences of discrimination. He recorded over 18,000 posts on X originating from Southeast Asia, with engagement reaching millions, indicating the issue extended beyond niche fandoms. Mujahid noted that the dominant sentiment among Southeast Asian users was unexpectedly positive, celebrating their collective ability to stand against racism.
Mujahid connected this moment to previous instances of digital solidarity in the region, such as the Milk Tea Alliance formed during the 2019 Hong Kong protests and recent online support for Indonesian ojol (online motorcycle transportation) drivers.
Addressing Entrenched Racism
Keisha Ramaniya, a longtime K-pop fan, expressed that such incidents were not uncommon within K-pop fandoms. Sofia Hasna, a communications lecturer at Muhammadiyah Jakarta University (UMJ), agreed, noting that the scale of this clash distinguished it from typical online disputes.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has publicly condemned racism and hate speech, promising strict penalties for offenders, as reported by korea.net in November 2025. korea.net
Hasna of UMJ suggested that this episode should serve as a warning for South Korea, stating that failure to address the issue could jeopardize Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries, which are significant markets for K-pop. Indonesia ranked among the world’s three largest K-pop markets in 2025, alongside South Korea and Japan, according to data from The Korea Herald. The Korea Herald
DAY6 performed at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on January 31, 2026. Live Nation Malaysia