By William Butler Yeats
Introduction
Jun Ji Hyun, one of South Korea’s most popular actresses, is admired for her beauty, talent, and powerful influence in the fashion industry. Over the years, she has become the face of many luxury brands like Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Cartier. However, her image in China has recently faced strong criticism. The reason is the controversy surrounding the Korean drama Tempest, which many Chinese netizens claim contains anti-China content.
This backlash has not only affected the drama itself but has also extended to Jun Ji Hyun’s luxury brand endorsements, putting global companies in a difficult position. Official Website

What is the Tempest Controversy?
The drama Tempest has been under fire in China because of certain storylines and dialogues that Chinese audiences believe are disrespectful or politically sensitive. Online platforms in China are filled with heated discussions, hashtags, and boycott calls.
While Jun Ji Hyun is not directly responsible for the script, her leading role has connected her to the issue. As a result, she has become the main target of online criticism.

The Importance of Jun Ji Hyun’s Endorsements
Jun Ji Hyun is more than just an actress — she is a global fashion icon. Many luxury brands choose her because of her ability to influence consumers across Asia. In China, where the luxury market is massive, her endorsements have helped brands grow significantly.
Her partnerships include:
- Gucci
- Alexander McQueen
- Cartier
- Hera (cosmetics brand)
But when Chinese audiences start questioning her, these global brands face the pressure of choosing between their star ambassador and their business reputation in China.
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Chinese Netizens’ Reactions
On Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, users have launched campaigns against Jun Ji Hyun. Many are calling her endorsements “unacceptable” because of her role in Tempest. Some are demanding that brands end their contracts with her.
This reaction shows how quickly entertainment controversies can affect business and branding in China. In the past, other stars such as Kris Wu and Zhao Wei also faced backlash that led to endorsement cancellations.
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Impact on Luxury Brands
Luxury brands know that China is one of their largest markets. Losing Chinese customers could mean billions of dollars in revenue. Because of this, companies are very sensitive to controversies involving celebrities.
So far, no brand has officially ended its relationship with Jun Ji Hyun. However, experts believe that some brands may pause campaigns, avoid using her image in China, or quietly distance themselves until the controversy calms down.
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The Bigger Picture: Celebrity Endorsements in China
This case highlights a bigger issue in the entertainment and fashion industries:
- Global stars often face challenges when their work clashes with local politics.
- Luxury brands must walk a fine line between supporting their ambassadors and protecting their market share.
- Chinese consumers have strong influence and can make or break a brand with online campaigns.
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| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Actress | Jun Ji Hyun |
| Drama Involved | Tempest |
| Issue | Alleged anti-China content |
| Reaction | Online backlash, boycott calls |
| Impact | Risk to luxury brand endorsements |
Conclusion
Jun Ji Hyun’s situation shows how interconnected entertainment, politics, and business have become. A drama controversy like Tempest does not only stay in the world of television — it spreads into fashion, luxury, and global branding.
For Jun Ji Hyun, the coming months will be very important. How she and her agency respond could decide whether luxury brands continue to trust her as a global ambassador. For the brands, the challenge is balancing between a beloved star and the highly sensitive Chinese market.
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FAQs
Why are Chinese netizens angry with Jun Ji Hyun?
They believe the drama Tempest includes anti-China content, and since Jun Ji Hyun is the lead actress, they are directing criticism at her.
Which luxury brands does Jun Ji Hyun endorse?
She has worked with brands like Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Cartier, and Hera.
Will luxury brands drop Jun Ji Hyun because of this controversy?
So far, no brand has officially ended their contracts, but some may reduce promotions in China depending on public opinion.
