|

K-pop superstars BTS drop bomb on Asian hate

BTS speak out on Asian hate crimes as K-pop megaband embraces activist role

News Service
12:40 - 1/04/2021 Thursday
Update: 12:45 - 1/04/2021 Thursday
Yeni Şafak
K-pop band BTS
K-pop band BTS

The prolific dreamboats of South Korea’s K-pop have revealed that they faced discrimination in the past for being Asian and “looking a certain way” as hate crimes skyrocket in the United States.

"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,” the band revealed in a statement posted Tuesday on social media with the hashtag #StopAsianHate.


The band’s statement received mixed reactions from fans as some lauded the heartthrobs for their bravery, while people of diverse races demanded to know why the band wasn’t standing up for their rights.

“What about Muslims? No need to talk about what they are suffering, but nobody talked about them and supported them,” one Twitter user wrote.

“Thank you for sharing your story, for conveying such a powerful message, thank you for comforting me. As an Asian, I can understand your feeling. And thank you for letting me know that I'm not alone, and so are you, we’ll always fight together. I love you,” wrote another.

On March 16, six out of eight women killed in shootings at three spas in Atlanta were Asian.

Similarly, San Francisco police have increased patrols in mainly Asian neighborhoods following what they said was "an alarming spike in brazen anti-Asian violence."

"We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence," BTS continued. "You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together."

The band has risen up against discrimination once before, when U.S. citizen George Floyd was killed by a white policeman, and donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter in June 2020.

"When we're abroad or in other situations, we've also been subjected to prejudice. We feel that prejudice should not be tolerated; it really has no place," band member Jin told Variety magazine.

#K-pop
#BTS
#Jin
3 years ago