BREAKING NEWS
OK LogoPHOTOS

BTS Show Canceled Over Band Member's Controversial Tee Shirt

BTS performance cancelled
Source: Getty

Nov. 9 2018, Updated 2:06 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to Email

BTS’ current Japanese promo tour hit a snag when a live television appearance was canceled. The last-minute cancellation was caused after a picture of member Jimin, wearing a controversial shirt, depicting the infamous Hiroshima atomic bombing, went viral. Read on for the details.

Article continues below advertisement
Bts seoul awards
Source: Getty

In addition to the picture of the mushroom cloud, the shirt featured the words “patriotism” and “liberation Korea.” Though controversial, the design reportedly celebrates Korea’s independence and liberation from Japan rule.

Bts2
Source: INSTARImages

However, on November 8, Japanese broadcast station TV Asahi quickly cancelled the group’s scheduled performance on the show Music Station. In a statement TV Asahi explained, “The producers asked the intention behind the t-shirt and we were in the process of coming to a settlement with the record label, however, unfortunately, we ultimately decided to postpone their appearance.”

Article continues below advertisement
Jimin
Source: Getty

Many Japanese fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment with Jimin’s outfit choice. One person wrote, “I can never accept  the act that #BTS member wore the atomic bomb T-shirts humanely. The problem is not the relation between Japan and Korea. It's just humanity.”

Article continues below advertisement
Bts3
Source: INSTARImages
MORE ON:
BTS

Though BTS hasn’t commented on the controversy, the shirt’s designer released a statement to Yahoo Japan. It read in part, “We had no intention to mock Japan. The use of the image was meant to depict the sequence of historical events that lead to Japan’s surrender and the subsequent liberation of Korea.”

Article continues below advertisement
Bts bbmas
Source: Getty

The designer also added, “We apologize for the disturbance. It was not our intent to promote anti-Japanese sentiment, so we apologize to BTS for this as well.”

Article continues below advertisement
Bts4
Source: INSTARImages

The band is scheduled to return to Japan next week to begin the next leg of their world tour. They are slated to play five sold out concerts in Tokyo and in Osaka.

Bts bbmas2
Source: INSTARImages

What do you think about Jimin’s controversial shirt? Let us know in the comments.

Advertisement

Want OK! each day? Sign up here!

Opt-out of personalized ads

© Copyright 2024 OK!™️. A DIVISION OF EMPIRE MEDIA GROUP INC. OK! is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.