A famous German radio host has made racist remarks to the Korean boy band BTS, which is controversial.
Internet users from around the world urged an apology by posting on social networking services (SNS), “We oppose racism,” and “Racism cannot be an opinion.”
At 9 p.m. (local time) on the 25th, German broadcaster Matthias Matuschik mentioned BTS’ performance of “MTV Unplugged” on the radio broadcast “Bayern 3.”
MTV Unplugged is a well-known music program broadcast on MTV based on acoustic sound. Some of the cast members include Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Shawn Mendes, and Miley Cyrus. BTS is the first K-pop singer to appear in the program.
BTS covered the British rock band Coldplay’s “Fix You” on the stage.
“BTS actually came out on MTV Unplugged,” Matuschik said. “It’s too paradoxical that the boy band did unplugged music.” They questioned the musical ability of the idol group.
“These small peeves covered Coldplay’s Fix You,” he said.
“I’m an atheist, but this is blasphemy,” Matuschik said. “Because of this, you (BTS) are going to spend the next 20 years in North Korea.”
“I don’t have any feelings for Korea,” he said. “Just because the boy band is from Korea, you shouldn’t accuse me of being a racist,” he said. “I also have a Korean car. Korea rules the world,” he said.
It is argued that BTS is raising questions about their musical talents, not their racial characteristics.
“BTS is short for novel coronavirus infections (COVID 19), and we hope that vaccines for them will come out soon,” Matuschik said.
Internet users are posting hashtags such as “Bayern 3 Racist”, “Bayern 3 Apologize”, and “RacismIsNotAnOpinion” on social media, urging Matuschik to apologize.
As the controversy intensified, Bayern 3 issued an apology on its website and explained, “This is Matuschik’s personal opinion.”
They explained, “The core of the program is that the host explodes his opinions clearly and realistically.” He added that the remarks were not intended to hurt BTS.
“This is his personal opinion of taste, regardless of the band’s origin and cultural background.,” Bayern 3 statement said.
He repeatedly defended the remarks, saying they were not based on racism.
