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Aussie influencer slammed for tone deaf post in Japan: ‘It’s giving racism’

BBG News

Aussie influencer Sopha Dopha has been accused of cultural appropriation while on holiday in Japan.

On Friday, the popular TikToker known as Sophia Begg (with over 1.4 million followers) shared a series of photos from her initial day in Tokyo on Instagram, unintentionally causing an awkward situation due to a mistake in the post.

The 21-year-old shared a post featuring the track “Blueprint Supreme,” a song sung by the Chinese rapper SKAI ISYOURGOD in Mandarin.

On the first day, Sophia posted a collection of photos showcasing her and her companions indulging in matcha, ramen, and striking poses next to a vending machine in Tokyo.

Sophia donned pink shorts, a roomy white tee displaying the Japanese term “Suki” (which signifies ‘like’ or ‘love’), and a bandana featuring polka dots.

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On my very first day, I find myself in Tokyo – a place I’ve longed to visit! 🇯🇵🍣🍣 (Two delicious sushi emojis) represent the incredible culinary experiences that await me here.

People swiftly noticed the contrast when the TikToker shared travel videos of Japan, accompanied by a tune originating from China.

‘Girl I love you, but please the song isn’t even in Japanese,’ the top comment on the post read. 

‘I fear this song is Chinese,’ said another. 

Others were more pointed in their remarks. 

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I came across a post that, aesthetically speaking, was quite appealing. However, upon closer inspection, I noticed undertones of racial insensitivity which left me feeling uncomfortable and disappointed. Another follower shared the same sentiment, expressing humor but also frustration at the unintentional yet apparent racism in the post.

In a subsequent remark, they stated that it appeared disrespectful and potentially racially biased when she incorporated Japanese phrases for aesthetic purposes.

‘She also seems to be unaware that the song she’s using isn’t Japanese, it’s Mandarin.’

‘Using Asian culture as an aesthetic is racism, period,’ they continued.

Another follower expressed their disappointment, stating that this clearly showcases an additional dimension of advantages associated with being white.

Taking only selected aspects from another culture for aesthetic purposes, without necessarily making an effort to comprehend or appreciate its significance.

Concurrently, many of us who are Asian have been embarrassed or ridiculed over the very same aspects. It’s more than just a tune or an attitude; it’s our deeply rooted culture. Reducing it to a fleeting trend can cause harm.

Sophia and her friends travelled from Australia to Japan on Thursday.

Within a day’s time, she shared five TikTok videos detailing her journeys, along with that disputed Instagram post.

‘We are in Japan, Tokyo and we are going to get ramen,’ she began in one video.

‘I came here last year and it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had,’ Sophia said. 

‘We’re all starving. We haven’t eaten since Maccas in the airport 12 hours ago.’

Adopting pieces of another group’s cultural heritage or personal identity, often insensitively or without giving credit where it’s due, is known as cultural misappropriation.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve often observed that cultural clashes frequently stem from situations where the predominant group adopts elements from less prevalent cultures. This can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and disputes as the original context and significance may be lost or misconstrued in the process.

Sophia has not responded to the faux pas online.

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2025-07-18 05:04

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