A tourist attraction in China has been embroiled in a controversy over 'counterfeits.' The site received visitors after imitating Japan's Mount Fuji by painting the top of a small hill white.
Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University noted on the 5th through social media that, according to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 3rd, a tourist site in Hebei Province, called 'Land of Cosmic Fantasy,' became controversial for attempting to mimic Japan's iconic Mount Fuji.
Professor Seo explained, 'This tourist site claimed to create a fairytale landscape with mountains, sparkling lakes, green grass, white horses, and a quaint wooden cabin for people worn out by daily life,' and therefore created a fake Mount Fuji.
'It is merely a small hill that cannot even be called a mountain, and its peak has been coated with bright white paint,' he pointed out, adding, 'The company refers to this hill as a volcano and even staged a fake volcanic eruption show every weekend, releasing pink smoke.'
'Honestly, all I can think of is the word 'Fuji',' he criticized, noting that 'Hebei Province has previously been criticized for replicating landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in France and the Sphinx in Egypt.'
Professor Seo stated, 'Recently, a grocery store unlawfully used photos of actors Park Bo-gum and IU from the Netflix drama 'When Life Gives You Tangerines,' and now China must develop a proper global mindset.'