What internet users in China taking offence at BTS’ Korean war comments says about the political climate there
- BTS leader RM’s remarks about the war, which pitted South Korean and US forces against those from North Korea and China, angered some Chinese fans
- Observers say the reaction online reveals something about the political climate in China today, while noting the Chinese government sought to play down the row
By Dong Sun-hwa
The controversy over K-pop juggernaut BTS’ comments on the Korean war isn’t going away in China – and this offers some crucial hints about that country’s political climate, according to experts.
The seven-piece act made the “controversial remark” on October 7 after receiving an award from US-based non-profit organisation The Korea Society for contributing to Seoul-Washington ties. During his acceptance speech, BTS frontman RM referred to the Korean war, in which the US aided South Korea to fight against a North Korea invasion from 1950-53.
“We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together and the sacrifice of countless men and women,” he said in English during a virtual ceremony. Some Chinese observers claimed BTS had “humiliated” their country – which was on the North’s side during the war – by not recognising the sacrifices of the Chinese soldiers.
Lim Dae-geun, a professor of Chinese Cinema Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in South Korea, said an unresolved historical issue had created the cultural conflict.