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A screenshot shows BTS giving a speech after receiving the James A. Van Fleet General Award on October 7 (Korea Society) via The Korea Herald.
SEOUL – K-pop’s hit act BTS has come under fire in China for a comment about the Korean War, according to a Chinese media outlet.
BTS recently received the General James A. Van Fleet Award from the Korea Society, a US-based non-profit organization.The award, named after an American commander who fought in the Korean War (1950- 1953), is awarded to South Korean and American citizens who have strengthened ties between the two nations.
In a video clip released by the organization on Wednesday, BTS member RM delivered an acceptance speech in which he said, “We will always remember the story of the pain that our two nations share together and the sacrifices of countless men and women.”
According to the Global Times, in the People’s Daily newspaper of the Communist Party of China, the speech angered Chinese online users because it reflects a “one-sided attitude.”
Many Chinese consider the comment inconsiderate as China participated in the Korean War to aid North Korea and fought against South Korea and the United States.
After the speech went viral, the BTS hashtag took third place on the “Hot Search” list on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform. Some users expressed their anger at BTS, warned of a boycott against the band, and said they would be leaving BTS Army, the band’s fan group.
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