'The Devil Wears Prada 2' faces accusations of racism in China over Chinese character
Published: 22 Apr. 2026, 15:06
![Jin Chou, the character at the center of the controversy over an alleged anti-Chinese portrayal in “The Devil Wears Prada 2” [SCREEN CAPTURE]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/22/a05c1632-be2a-47ed-bb96-99c34375dd00.jpg)
Jin Chou, the character at the center of the controversy over an alleged anti-Chinese portrayal in “The Devil Wears Prada 2” [SCREEN CAPTURE]
A movement to boycott the upcoming “The Devil Wears Prada 2” is emerging in China over allegations that the film's Chinese character contains racist elements.
China.com and other outlets in the country reported on Tuesday that criticism has spread online over a clip uploaded to the official YouTube channel of 20th Century Studios on Friday, featuring a Chinese supporting character whose name and portrayal have been criticized as offensive.
The character, Jin Chao, a recent Yale graduate who works as an assistant to the protagonist Andrea Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, is portrayed by Chinese American actor Helen J. Shen.
Posts online argued that the character’s name sounds similar to “Ching Chong,” a term historically used in Western societies to mock Asian languages. The phrase is widely known as a derogatory expression that originated in the 19th century to ridicule Chinese laborers.
The character’s portrayal has also drawn criticism. Appearing in glasses and a checkered shirt, the character is depicted as lacking fashion sense — in contrast to the stylish figures in the fashion industry at the heart of the film, prompting some to argue that this reinforces negative stereotypes.
![A still from ″The Devil Wears Prada 2,″ set to premiere on April 29 in Korea [WALT DISNEY COMPANY KOREA]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/22/be168e69-096f-43d6-8799-44cab7db3343.jpg)
A still from ″The Devil Wears Prada 2,″ set to premiere on April 29 in Korea [WALT DISNEY COMPANY KOREA]
Scenes showing the character openly criticizing a superior or acting boastfully have also been cited as problematic, with some saying they echo stereotypes in Western societies that portray highly educated Asians as socially awkward. Others argued that exaggerated facial expressions and acting further caricature Chinese people.
As the controversy grows, calls to boycott the film are spreading online in China, with critics accusing the film of targeting the Chinese market while simultaneously insulting Chinese people.
“This controversy could hurt the film’s reputation and box office performance,” Hong Kong’s Sing Tao Daily reported.
"The Devil Wears Prada 2" is set to open in China on May 1.
The film is a sequel to “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), coming nearly 20 years after the original. It stars actors Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, and is set for its global premiere in Korea on April 29.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HYEON YE-SEUL [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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