A row over K-pop fan behaviour in Malaysia has spiralled into a bitter regional dispute online, with echoes of the ‘Milk Tea Alliance’
Videos of the incident spread rapidly online, prompting criticism from users across the region.
Online exchanges soon escalated into a cycle of insults.
Some Korean users responded to criticism with posts mocking Southeast Asia’s economy, peoples and cultures, including a post which drew 83 million views that depicted Southeast Asian women as orangutans.
Users in Southeast Asia retaliated with posts targeting South Korea’s plastic surgery rates, suicide rate and food.
