Lululemon apologises for China event with actor beating Japanese drum on Great Wall

Lululemon has apologized and withdrawn a marketing video in China after a controversy arose regarding a yoga-themed event held on the Great Wall. The event, intended to celebrate Chinese culture, featured Chinese actor Zhu Yilong and the Fanxiang Drum Corp playing a large drum. Experts identified the drum as a Japanese wadaiko, not a traditional Chinese instrument. This sparked backlash on social media, with some arguing that presenting a Japanese drum on the Great Wall, a site with significant historical meaning, was insensitive and evoked painful memories of Japan's invasion of China. The company's video promoted this May 30th event in suburban Beijing.

Lululemon has apologized after a promotional yoga festival on the Great Wall of China faced online backlash for mistakenly featuring a Japanese taiko drum instead of a traditional Chinese drum. The event, intended to celebrate Chinese culture, included a performance by Chinese actor Zhu Yilong, who posted a picture of himself with the Lululemon-branded drum. Chinese social media users accused the brand of using an inappropriate instrument, leading to widespread criticism and calls for Lululemon to respond. In its apology, Lululemon acknowledged a lack of professional knowledge and pledged greater caution for future events, removing related content from its platforms. This incident underscores the cultural sensitivities Western brands must navigate when operating in China.