Chinese drama apologizes for using photo of BLACKPINK’s Rosé to depict sex worker
By Bryan Ke
February 22, 2023
The production team behind the Chinese drama “Justice in the Dark” has apologized for using a picture of BLACKPINK’s Rosé to depict a sex worker.
The apology came after a screenshot of the photo used in a “Justice in the Dark” episode began circulating online, igniting outrage among BLACKPINK fans earlier this week.
The scene in question involves police officer Luo Weizhao, played by Chinese actor Fu Xinbo, going undercover during an investigation. After going to a hotel, he asks for sexual services and is given a catalog featuring images of various sex workers.
Eagle-eyed fans immediately noticed an edited photo of Rosé with lightened skin and dark lipstick. In the scene, Luo comments on the sex workers’ pictures, saying, “These photos are so heavily photoshopped that even their mothers can’t recognize them!”
Several Rosé fans immediately took to Twitter to call out the Chinese drama and its team for using the 26-year-old BLACKPINK member’s photo.
“We demand that you immediately remove the production of Justice In The Dark from your platform as the crew have shamed & disgraced themselves with their behaviour towards the artist known as Rosé from Blackpink,” one Twitter user wrote, tagging Chinese streaming platform Youku.
Several fans also tagged YG Entertainment, BLACKPINK’s label, to raise awareness and demand they take action.
“Your artist ROSÉ from BLACKPINK had her image used as a prostitute in the chinese drama ‘Justice In The Dark’. We want YG ENTERTAINMENT to take action on this, just as we want the drama’s production team to apologize,” a Twitter user tweeted.
“It’s absurd to use the image of #ROSÉ in the Chinese drama ‘Justice in The Dark’ and quote her as a wh*re and @ygent_official does nothing about it,” another Twitter user wrote. “Rosé is also human and deserves respect. #JusticeForRosé.”
Following the backlash, the team behind “Justice in the Dark” apologized for the mishap in a written report dated Monday.
“Due to our team’s neglect in the work, we used Rose’s photos carelessly. This act adversely affected Rose’s image and reputation. We would like to sincerely apologize to rose and her fans, the broadcasting platform, and the viewers,” the report read, according to Allkpop.
On Tuesday, Lü Xin, a Shanghai-based lawyer, told the Global Times that since Rosé did not give the series consent to use her image, the incident was a copyright infringement according to China’s civil law.
“But compensation is not always necessary, as the copyright infringement can be solved simply through an apology,” the lawyer explained.
Besides addressing the issue online, the team has also reportedly reached out to Rosé’s agency to apologize.
A somewhat similar incident occurred in January 2022 when a Dutch influencer discovered that a Chinese TV show used a photo of her with her boyfriend, but with her face replaced with the series’ lead actress’ face.
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