A cosmetics company canceled a Feb. 21 preview of a Japanese commercial featuring actress Kim Tae-hee, as Japanese netizens criticized her for advocating Korea’s sovereignty over Dokdo.

Dokdo is a group of rocky islets in the East Sea that Japan has claimed as part of its territory and calls Takeshima.

Kim, who has been enjoying popularity as an actress and a model for television commercials in Korea since the early 2000s, served as a Dokdo advocate in 2005 with her younger brother Lee Wan, who is also an actor. 

The duo visited Switzerland that year and handed out T-shirts that said “Dokdo is Our Land” and Dokdo sovereignty-themed music CDs.

Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., who selected Kim to model for its new skincare brand Yukigokochi, said they canceled the event due to safety concerns, as the company received negative comments regarding the actress via their website.

The cosmetics and pharmaceutical company called off the event Monday, two days before Japan’s official Takeshima Day.

Kim made her Japanese TV debut in October of last year, with Fuji TV’s drama series titled “Boku to Star no 99 Nichi” (99 Days with a Star) co-starring Japanese actor Nishijima Hidetoshi. At the time, Kim’s past as a Dokdo advocate infuriated some Japanese viewers, triggering an anti-hallyu group to hold a street demonstration calling for the suspension of the TV show.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)