Lee Si Young's Dokdo photos spark debate among Korean and Japanese netizens

Actor Lee Si Young’s photos from her trip to Dokdo have become the target of some Japanese internet trolls.

On September 26th, Lee Si Young shared a post on her personal social media account, saying, "A brief but memorable trip to Dokdo (I successfully landed since the waves were calm that day)," as she began to share details of the restaurants she visited and posted a joyful review of her trip to Dokdo.

In the accompanying photos, Lee Si Young is seen holding the Korean flag while taking in the picturesque views of Dokdo under a clear sky. Her visit to Dokdo, a place said to be accessible only to those with great fortune, evokes both emotional pride and a deep sense of patriotism.

Korean netizens left comments such as, "What a beautiful view," "I really want to visit Dokdo too," and "I can feel the patriotism," while some Japanese netizens insisted on referring to Dokdo as Takeshima, claiming it as Japanese territory, which led to a wave of discontent. In response, Korean netizens fired back with their own comments, fueling an ongoing heated debate.

Dokdo, also known as Takeshima in Japan, is a group of small islets in the East Sea. The islets are under South Korean administration, but Japan also claims sovereignty over them. This territorial dispute between South Korea and Japan has been a source of diplomatic tension for decades.

From a South Korean perspective, Dokdo has historically belonged to Korea, with records dating back to the 6th century showing Korean presence and control. Korea views Japan’s claim as a remnant of its imperial past, particularly its annexation of Korea in the early 20th century. For Koreans, Dokdo symbolizes national pride and resistance to colonialism.

Due to this sensitive history, any discussion or display involving Dokdo often stirs strong nationalistic emotions in both countries.

Meanwhile, Lee Si Young is set to appear in Netflix’s original reality show 'Zombieverse: New Blood', which will be released in November.

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