'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Faces Backlash in China Over Alleged Racism

The upcoming film 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' is facing significant backlash from Chinese audiences even before its release. The controversy centers around a new Chinese character, 'Qin Zhou,' which has sparked allegations of racial insensitivity. This backlash could potentially impact the film's success in the lucrative Chinese market.

The character 'Qin Zhou,' played by Chinese actress Sun Yutian, is depicted as the assistant to the protagonist 'Andy.' Despite the glamorous fashion industry setting, Qin Zhou is portrayed wearing unfashionable clothes and thick glasses, contrasting sharply with the stylish characters around her. Critics argue that this portrayal suggests a lack of fashion sense. Additionally, the character's name has drawn criticism for its resemblance to 'Ching Chong,' a derogatory term for Chinese people.

The character's traits have also been criticized. In the film, 'Qin Zhou' is shown publicly criticizing her boss, which has been interpreted as a lack of social skills. This portrayal has been criticized for perpetuating Western stereotypes about highly educated Asians lacking social skills.

The original 'The Devil Wears Prada' released in 2007, grossed approximately $326.6 million worldwide, with only $2.4 million coming from China, accounting for just 0.7% of its total revenue. At that time, China's contribution to the global box office was limited due to rampant piracy and a lack of theaters.

However, the situation has changed. According to Chinese film data platform Maoyan, China generated approximately $1.2 billion in box office revenue from January to February 23 this year, surpassing North America's $900 million during the same period. This indicates the potential for significant revenue from the Chinese market. 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' is set to release on May 1, targeting China's Labor Day holiday.

Despite the distributor's expectations, the boycott movement in China is gaining momentum. There are calls within China to criticize the film's screening. However, as this issue is primarily regional, it is not expected to significantly impact the film's global success.

Ejin Park, TenAsia Reporter ejin@tenasia.co.kr