BTS fans slam Australian talk show for racist clip

PETALING JAYA: Australian talk show The Project has been slammed by BTS fans as racist after editing a clip to suggest that BTS’ V was spreading Covid-19 at the Grammys.

The edited video clip shows V, or Kim Tae-hyung who was originally singing to Justin Beiber’s Peaches but edited to show that he was coughing with animated Covid-19 particles were being emitted from his mouth.

Shared widely on Twitter by Army fans, many were angered over the deliberately edited videoclip and have been using the #StopAsianHate to gain solidarity online. The recap video was paired with a narrator stating, “K-pop sensation BTS dropped in, dismissing their very recent battles with Covid-19.”

BTS fans, ARMY, took to Twitter to express their anger and disappointment at the edited clip with the hashtag #StopAsianHate to demand an apology and a removal of the video.

“We condemn these microaggressions being demonstrated towards Asian artists and demand a takedown of the post including a formal apology,” wrote the post.

“Of all the people in attendance who had recovered from Covid19, The Project pointed out BTS added graphics to show V coughing/spreading germs.

“This is a time when anti-Asian hate is at an all-time high and people who look like me are being beaten or killed,” wrote another ARMY.

“We’re Asian and doesn’t mean we spread Covid-19. You should apologise to BTS and especially V,” wrote another Twitter user.

BTS management group Big Hit revealed that its member Jungkook recently tested Covid19 positive on March 29 but had recovered just in time for the band’s appearance at the awards ceremony.