EXO, an 11-member boy band from South Korea, made the cultural misstep when it opened its headline concert in Seoul, prompting a mixed response both online and in New Zealand.
Many online attacks took aim at the band’s choreographer, Tony Testa, who has previously worked with artists such as Britney Spears and Janet Jackson.
He is yet to respond to the comments on Twitter, where he posted the show had been a "success" and a "night to remember".
New Zealand media also carried reports from an Auckland local at the concert, Stephanie Town.
“I felt uncomfortable upon seeing it, because of how meaningful it [the Haka] is,” she told 3news NZ.
“No one likes to see their heritage used for entertainment value like that. Knowing that they didn't personally choose to do it makes me able to forgive it. It's the choreographer who should have known better.”
Despite the shock, the 28-year-old said the experience ultimately left her feeling proud.
"Maybe I'm being too generous, but it's nice to see people enjoying parts of New Zealand culture internationally, and flattering in some way to see these idols of mine pay a kind of homage to our culture," she said.
Others, too, responded positively to the performance.
How do you feel about EXO doing a haka-inspired dance?
