Apparently, netizens are WWII insignia experts.
There’s been a lot of hoot and holler for Girls Generation’s new “marine girl” look, but it’s not all male gawking and hairstyle compliments. The girls are currently getting a lot of flack for their insensitive use of imagery that conjures up Nazi and Kamikaze insignia. It all started when the keen eyes of netizens noticed that the fighter plane on their new album cover looks almost exactly the same as the A6M Zero-Sen aircraft that were introduced during World War II and utilized by Kamikaze suicide bombers.
And if that wasn’t enough to fuel the fire, netizens continued analyzing the individual concept photos of the girls and found that their military pins resembled the ones used by the Nazi regime. The eagle has been a part of the coat of arms of Germany for its entire history as a unified state, but the design of the eagle pins on the hats and breast resemble the Parteiadler, which is the eagle insignia for the Nazi party.
Some of the girls also sport iron cross breast pins that are the national symbol for German military decoration, since the early 1800s. So of course, if we’re going to conjure up images of the German military, people think of WWII.
Honestly, it is undeniable that these symbols, minus obvious swastikas and Japanese flags, are present in the girls photos. SM Entertainment released a statement regarding the WWII imagery, citing it was the ignorance of the photo shoot designer and that the girls are not to blame. Looks like someone should have done a little more research before designing that album cover and props. SM went on to further say that this was by no means intentional, and that they were simply going for a marine concept more than anything.
You know, sometimes netizens dig up interesting pieces of information, but this just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The Japanese occupation and German imperialism during WWII is still a very sensitive subject for Koreans, so it is understandable why they are so furious over this blatant display of ignorance, but is it necessary to just rub everyone’s face in it so much just to tarnish the reputation of these girls who probably haven’t had enough education to fully realize people’s distress?
Side note~isn’t it ironic that the most controversial Girls Generation member Tiffany is so conveniently clean of any WWII insignia in her individual shot?
Haha! Netizens need to get a life.
Agree. But to be honest, noticing their uniforms and the Hitler-esque things doesn’t take too much research, just a bit of historical knowledge, a keen eye, and (probably) a basic 8th grade education.
Very true. A bit of historical information will do everybody some good. I don’t think that the people who noticed them intentionally dug up dirt on the girls. It doesn’t take long to notice the insignias.
Maybe the clothes designers hate SNSD and did it on purpose to tarnish their rep?
Well, that’s my conspiracy theory…
The funny thing is, these girls probably had no idea about the historical aspects of any symbols they were being told to put on or wear.
Remember Zoolander? Models are the top choice for assassins because they do as they’re told?
Lol… Just randomly got reminded of that…
In other words, let’s not blame the girls.
I wasn’t aware that the Marines wear white? Does the ROK Marine sport white Class A Uniforms? Because in the U.S., it’s usually the Navy, the Marines in the US are more of a darkish blue/black combination with some red and white. And since most people want to be accurate, why do they only compare it to WWII insignias, crosses and eagles, are used in many countries, not just the German & Japanese Militaries, I guess the netizens are really making something out of nothing this time. I must say, even though I’m not a fan of SNSD, I like girls wearing outfits like those, it sure is sexy.
It appears SM is going to quickly redesign the album cover due to the uproar. Can’t blame the girls on this one. Someone on the design team is going to get fired over this unless this is some sick, twisted publicity stunt.
This isn’t the first time Korea has had a problem with the Hitler and Nazi related objects. It’s getting a bit ridiculous now…you’d think they learn but if it’s been happening for years (which it has) I think it reflects the overall ignorances and insenstity towards the subject.
There really is no excuse. Whether or not the girls knew, the people who were in charge had plenty of other choices to choose from.
omgggg are they friggin serious?!?!?!?! seriously retarded.
I mean they have their points, it’s summer now, no more marine uniforms please but BKINNIS !!!
This is very similar to what US Marines wear (I have friends in the Marines). I don’t understand the issue–there are hardly any exclusive references to WWII.
hey. how about this. everyone knows those girls are dumb to start with… but the outfits aren’t conjured up by themselves, for heaven knows they don’t have much going on up there.
however. for the first time i see myself ’sticking up’ for these 9 plastic clones. don’t blame them. blame their fashion consultant/wardrobe manager/etc
netizens need to stop making such a fuss about the latest hype. get swine flu already
Booo-ring!!
it’s just some cheapo props for nice impression only..
Whoever has a neuron inside the skull should search first before making such atrocity
“Apparently, netizens are WWII insignia experts.”
this comment cracks me up. and you know what, this is the best article i ever read regarding this issue!
There’s nothing to comment about that. It’s just some netizens who need to set up some scandal. What did they know themselves about WWII. They weren’t even born for some when this war happened. Nobody is to blame here but only netizens who think that they know everything. Many armies use that uniform including my country’s army (France). They see scandal where there isn’t.
they’re NOT marine girls. for crying out loud, popseoul! the winged logo should tell you something. and this is bull about the accusation. waste of space on this site.
OMG SO WHAT!!
That is completely stupid.
yeah,. whatever they wanna chage photo album , they cant change they voice, and always lipsying.. hohohohohoho..
As much as I dislike SNSD this is NOT their fault. The girls didn’t design this concept. ..but seriously I doubt this was intentional just incompetence.
Wow… A very basic example of ignorance…
oh brother..
This concept was a stupid idea to begin with, so I am not suprised that netizians noticed all these things T_T
wooah..
those netizens should get a life..i mean really…
why not destroy your own images…
Maybe not the plane but the pins!!!!I mean nowday every child in age of 9 knows what the signs of natzis is!!
This is ridiculous. These girls didn’t even choose their outfits!
70’s punk/goth icons such as Sid Vicious and Siouxie Soux wore Swatstika t-shirts/armbands and they’re praised for that. While I’m aware that there’s nothing avant-garde about SNSD’s outfits, what difference does it make?
Oops, I meant “Souxsie Sioux.” Sorry for the typos.
I wonder how long the netizens sat in front of their computers staring at the ambum cover to find sort of picture to bash about like seriously i never would have thought about the japanese plane or the nazi sign unless I looked it up which apparently netizens did… those losers they need to lay of the haterade