“King The Land” Viewers Demand Apology From Actor Anupam Tripathi Due To “Offensive” Performance As Arab Prince
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Spoiler Alert
JTBC‘s new hit K-Drama King the Land, starring 2PM‘s Junho (also known as Lee Jun Ho) and Girls’ Generation‘s YoonA (also known as Im Yoon Ah or Lim Yoon A), is under fire after the recent episodes.
In Episodes 7 and 8, Squid Game actor Anupam Tripathi portrayed Prince Samir. He was depicted as a former schoolmate of Gu Won’s (Junho) from when he studied abroad. Yet, Prince Samir is also one of the richest men in the world, so when word got out that he was traveling to South Korea, the King Hotel went against their competitors to get the prince to stay with them.
Prince Samir played not only a comedic role but one that helped move the plot as he became the “second male lead” as soon as he met Sa Rang (YoonA). He vied for her affection and even proposed marriage to her. This ultimately motivated Gu Won to confess his own feelings to Sa Rang after Prince Samir’s departure.
sarang rejecting prince samir made guwon’s ear perked😭#KingTheLand #KingTheLandEp8 pic.twitter.com/zdTY03dNFT
— aki (@makiathhyo) July 9, 2023
After his unfortunate ending in Squid Game, K-Drama fans were initially happy for Anupam Tripathi’s return to the screen. Some even enjoyed his new character in King the Land.
nawt the squid game reference😭#KingTheLand #KingTheLandEp8 pic.twitter.com/WXrWN8GLms
— aki (@makiathhyo) July 9, 2023
ngl prince Samir will be missed. Pure comedy 😆#킹더랜드 #KingTheLandEp8 #KingTheLand
— 𝐿𝓎𝓁𝒾𝒶 (@gomezsftstyles) July 9, 2023
Yet, many viewers found the new character to be problematic and offensive. While it was meant to be humorous, it came across as “insulting” to Arab people that Prince Samir appeared obsessed with alcohol and women. This is not the representation anyone wanted.
What do you want to convey by insulting the Arabs?
🛑We don't drink
🛑We don't go to bars
🛑The men don't touch the women.#JTBCAPOLOGIZE#KdramaOffendsTheArabs pic.twitter.com/cXJql50qb3— 🥈Lana (@3hp_e) July 9, 2023
did king the land team rlly have to add this unnecessary arab prince part and also make him an annoying dumb womanizer 💀 plus the outfits for him and his guards? the bg music? it’s the same old stereotypes mocking arabs for “comedy”
— 𝙖𝙮𝙖⁷ 𓂆 (@muslimbangtan) July 9, 2023
Additionally, some viewers were offended that the Arab character was portrayed by a non-Arab actor. Anupam Tripathi is Indian. So, if an Arab character is included, they want authentic casting and non-stereotypical portrayal.
They brought an Indian actor, put him in Arab traditional clothes, and make him act as if he’s uneducated and obsessed with alcohol and girls… this is extremely disrespectful and offensive. We need an apology.#JTBCAPOLOGIZE#KingTheLandEp7#KingTheLand
pic.twitter.com/TTbpnIBfcL— رين (@areayiein) July 9, 2023
King the land was such a good romcom series before ep7… like really do we still have to do these "arab" stereotypes not even talking about them casting an Indian actor as an Arab or the clothes….
— Nano (@selbyulie) July 8, 2023
anupam tripathi you’re going to hell for this btw 🫶🏼
— 𝙖𝙮𝙖⁷ 𓂆 (@muslimbangtan) July 9, 2023
Consequently, a lot of hate has been directed toward Anupam Tripathi since the episodes aired. His Instagram posts have been spammed with unhappy netizens demanding an apology for his role.
Unfortunately, many comments spamming the actor’s Instagram have now even resorted to racism. In a sea of flag, vomit, and middle finger emojis are also gorilla, monkey, and cow emojis.
Likewise, viewers have requested an apology from JTBC. The production team did release a statement via SPOTV News in response, but it left netizens even more infuriated.
All characters, areas, and nominations that appear in the drama are works of fiction. We never specified the prince’s country of origin.
— King The Land production team
Read more below.
“King The Land” Infuriates Audiences Further With Response To Criticism Over Representation Of Arabs
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