Lululemon apologises in China after a promotional yoga event held on the Great Wall sparked online backlash over the use of what critics described as a Japanese taiko drum. Multiple outlets report the event took place in late May, including on or around May 30, near Beijing, and was intended to pay tribute to Chinese culture. Critics say presenting a Japanese performance at a site with deep symbolic meaning in China was politically insensitive and risked “stirring up” historical memories. Several reports also say the controversy spread on social media, prompting demands for clarification. According to reports, Lululemon issues a public apology and, in China-related coverage, withdraws a marketing video associated with the event. Bloomberg and other outlets frame the incident as a reputational risk for the brand in one of its fastest-growing major markets, highlighting the sensitivities of cultural representation for foreign companies. The reports describe the event’s inclusion of Chinese actor Zhu Yilong and drum performers, with outlets characterizing the drum element as the source of the dispute and the apology as an effort to address public concern.
Lululemon apologises after Japanese taiko drum controversy at Great Wall yoga event
Lululemon apologises in China after a promotional yoga event held on the Great Wall sparked online backlash over the use of what critics described as a Japanese taiko drum. Multiple outlets report the...
- Lululemon apologises to address backlash in China tied to a promotional yoga event held at the Great Wall.
- Criticism focuses on a drum performance described by critics as Japanese taiko.
- The event is held in late May near Beijing and is presented as paying tribute to Chinese culture.
- Social media reaction in China escalates the controversy and leads Lululemon to withdraw related marketing material in China.
- Chinese actor Zhu Yilong appears as part of the event promotion, according to multiple reports.
The sportswear brand Lululemon has apologised and withdrawn its latest marketing video in China because of a controversy surrounding a big Japanese drum and the Great Wall. The video was designed to promote a yoga-themed event the brand held on the world-renowned historic site in suburban Beijing on May 30. The activity, which was supposed to salute Chinese culture, featured top-tier Chinese actor Zhu Yilong and the mainland’s leading Fanxiang Drum Corp, who played the drums together during the...
2 months agoCanadian activewear giant issued public apology after a yoga event at the Great Wall of China triggered an online uproar over a drum performance
2 months agoLululemon has apologised after a promotional yoga event on the Great Wall of China triggered criticism over the alleged use of a Japanese drum. The activewear giant staged the event at the end of May, featuring Chinese actor Zhu Yilong, as it looked to build momentum in one of its fastest-growing markets. However, the Canadian...
2 months agoLululemon Athletica Inc. apologized after a yoga event staged on the Great Wall featuring a Japanese taiko drum sparked social media backlash in China, highlighting the reputational risks facing the company in its fastest-growing major market.
2 months agoCritics say presenting Japanese performance as Chinese culture misleading and politically insensitive
2 months agoOnline uproar in China follows Canadian brand’s use of taiko drum at sponsored festival held to celebrate Chinese cultureThe activewear brand Lululemon has apologised after a promotional event held on the Great Wall of China appeared to mistakenly feature a Japanese drum, prompting an uproar.The Canadian-headquartered company, known for its upmarket yoga leggings, has been growing rapidly in China and arranged for a yoga festival to take place in late May on a section of the wall near Beijing. Continue reading...
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