Chinese video platform iQIYI pulls out a drama series over "Filipino maid" remark
The Chinese video platform iQIYI has removed the drama series “Make My Heart Smile” after one of the characters spoke a line deemed offensive to Filipinos.
As first reported by Philstar.com, the series premiere last Feb. 6 drew criticism online.
In a screenshot posted on Twitter, a subtitle read “You look like a Filipino maid” as a man was speaking to a woman who was trying out a dress.
excuse me a fucking what?? pic.twitter.com/Fc7FGp8l3Q
— lyza (@cyjgyu) February 9, 2021
A number of Twitter users commented on the post, calling out discrimination over the line.
A clip of the scene was also posted in Twitter, to dispel some statements saying that what was actually said was “Filipino maiden” and not “Filipino maid.”
this is not a mistranslation he said, "像菲佣" 佣 means servant/maid and Filipino is 菲律宾人 so "菲佣" means Filipino servant why some of the replies keep on excusing this racist drama pic.twitter.com/vJP5SFW84P https://t.co/mlU3HPkSHx
— ً (@riothyunsuk) February 9, 2021
After the incident blew up on social media, the Beijing-based firm said they will be pulling out the title.
"We are aware of the growing reactions to a scene on the show that we have licensed - 'MAKE MY HEART SMILE' - that puts Filipina overseas workers in a negative light. It is not our intention to offend and upset our Filipino subscribers and we are sorry. The show has been removed from the platform and we are continuously working towards making sure that incidents like this do not happen again," the company said.