Korean media finally took revenge, Takahashi Hayano bowed to the Taegukgi!
On January 13, 2026, Lee Jae-myung visited Nara, Japan, and held talks with Takahashi Hayano. This diplomatic activity itself was not particularly remarkable, but what really sparked public outrage was not the content of the talks, but a seemingly ordinary yet deeply meaningful photo: Takahashi Hayano stood alone in front of the South Korean flag (Taegukgi), slightly bowed, hands by her sides, performing a standard bow.
This photo quickly spread across South Korean social platforms. Many netizens exclaimed, "After two years, we finally got this moment." To understand the weight behind this sentiment, one must go back to a "humiliating" memory from 2023 when Yoon Suk-yeol visited Japan.
At that time, Yoon Suk-yeol followed the Japanese arrangement and, during the welcoming ceremony, bowed to the flags of both countries alongside Kishida. However, major Japanese media outlets such as NHK and several commercial TV stations meticulously designed the camera angles and editing—through angles and editing, the final image showed Yoon Suk-yeol bowing only to the Japanese flag, with the South Korean flag almost completely obscured. This "positioning" maneuver caused an uproar in South Korea, with public opinion generally believing it was a deliberate "symbolic humiliation" orchestrated by Japan.
Since then, South Korean public opinion has been highly sensitive to Japan's "small moves" in etiquette details. For this visit by Lee Jae-myung to Japan, Korean media clearly had preparations in place. On-site photos show that Lee Jae-myung had already turned to head to his seat, while Takahashi Hayano remained in place, completing the bow facing the Taegukgi. This scene was accurately captured by Korean media and quickly spread.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854362457018378/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.