- By Sukanya Saha
- Fri, 16 Jun 2023 06:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
When BTS Members Opened Up About Facing Racism: BTS, the renowned South Korean boy band, has gained worldwide acclaim for their chart-topping music and unparalleled dance skills. Despite their immense popularity, the group has unfortunately encountered numerous instances of racial comments targeted towards Asians. In 2021, breaking their silence, BTS issued a statement denouncing violence against Asians and acknowledging the challenges they have faced in dealing with hate comments.
BTS burst onto the scene with its original lineup consisting of RM, V, Suga, Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, and Jungkook. This groundbreaking Asian group achieved a remarkable feat by earning nominations for an impressive five Grammy Awards, setting a new record in the industry.
During the global Covid-19 crisis in 2021, there was a significant surge in crimes against Asians. In light of these incidents, BTS released a statement in both Korean and English, addressing the discrimination they have personally faced due to their race and the hate comments directed towards them.
In a statement shared on their official Twitter account, BTS expressed their experiences of facing discrimination as Asians. They recounted instances where they were subjected to unwarranted expletives, ridiculed for their appearance, and questioned about why Asians spoke in English. The members conveyed the indescribable pain of becoming targets of hatred and violence solely based on such shallow reasons.
Continuing their statement, the members of BTS acknowledged that their personal experiences were insignificant compared to the recent events that have unfolded. However, they emphasised that these experiences were sufficient to make them feel powerless and erode their self-esteem.
"We recall moments when we faced discrimination as Asians. We have endured expletives without reason and were mocked for the way we look. We were even asked why Asians spoke in English. We cannot put into words the pain of becoming the subject of hatred and violence for such a reason.
"Our own experiences are inconsequential compared to the events that have occurred over the past few weeks. But these experiences were enough to make us feel powerless and chip away our self-esteem," their statement read.
Also read: BTS' Jungkook Professes Love For K-Pop Star Taeyeon; Sends BTS ARMY Into Frenzy
In their concluding remarks, the BTS bandmates emphasised the importance of effectively conveying their message to everyone. They asserted that every person, including themselves, deserves to be treated with respect. The band's statement was made in response to a German radio jockey who reportedly compared them to Covid-19 and made derogatory remarks, referring to them as "some crappy virus" that they hoped would soon have a vaccine.
In terms of their professional endeavours, the band is currently commemorating their 10th anniversary and has recently unveiled their latest track, "Take Two."
