TEMPO, Jakarta - In recent days, the topic of SEAblings vs. Knetz has fueled frequent discussions on social media platform X and various online media. This conflict originated from a debate between Southeast Asian netizens, who call themselves SEAblings, and South Korean netizens, known as Knetz. This dispute has escalated from a minor issue to a widespread argument among internet users across different countries.
What are SEAblings and Knetz?
SEAblings combines "SEA" (Southeast Asia) and "siblings." The term is used by netizens from Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, to identify as a group that supports one another within the region.
Conversely, Knetz is an abbreviation for Korean netizens, a term for internet users from South Korea who actively comment and engage in online discussions. In this specific context, the term identifies the group of South Korean netizens participating in the conversations related to this conflict.
Chronology of the Conflict
The initial incident that sparked this debate occurred on January 31, 2026, during a concert by the South Korean band Day6 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Some Korean attendees affiliated with fan communities brought professional-grade cameras to the event, despite organizers prohibiting such equipment within the performance area. Criticism of this action emerged online from social media users in Malaysia.
Subsequently, various accounts of Korean netizens posted comments defending the fan sites and responding to the criticisms. This exchange expanded into a broader debate, featuring interactions that triggered further responses from Southeast Asian netizens.
Some parts of the online discussion also involved the names of public figures, including Indonesian artists. Other elements discussed included stereotypes about skin color, economic conditions, and cultural aspects of different regions.
Developments of the Social Media Debate
Over time, the debate, which initially focused on the ethics of camera usage at the concert, transformed into a heated exchange of comments among users from different regions. In some posts, the comments were deemed derogatory toward Southeast Asian people, which were then addressed by users from ASEAN nations using the term SEAblings.
In the lively social media conversation, some Korean and Southeast Asian netizens responded to one another, expanding the discussion through numerous posts and replies. This debate involved the use of hashtags and specific terms that subsequently spread to other platforms.
The debate has permeated various threads on X, with an increase in tweet volume and related hashtags, yet there is no indication that the issue has culminated in a single statement or agreement among the parties involved.
Up to now, the SEAblings vs. Knetz debate appears to remain active, with various aspects of the conversation still ongoing across social media timelines.
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