Controversy arises as one Japanese media outlet calls out BTS on “Anti-Japan” activities.
On October 26, Japanese media outlet Tokyo Sports released an article with a title that suggests BTS of being an “Anti-Japan” group.
The article first tackled on Jimin wearing a shirt that commemorated the Korean Liberation Day at a public outing. It had a reference to the Hiroshima atomic bombing incident with a phrase “Patriotism Our History Liberation Korea” written across the back of the shirt multiple times.
The outlet called Jimin wearing such an outfit as “unconventional activity.” The article further argued, “the anti-Japan activities of BTS are getting much appraisal in Korea. It’s very thoughtless. BTS, who represents the Republic of Korea, attacks on the nationalism of Japan by wearing a shirt with a picture referring to Hiroshima atomic bombing printed on it. This shows their sense of national insecurity that is deeply rooted in one’s history.”
Furthermore, the article also attacked RM’s post from 5 years ago, which was to celebrate the National Liberation Day in Korea. In the post, RM says, “today is the National Liberation day!! The nation who forgets its past has no future. It’s good to rest on a national holiday, but I hope you spend the day thanking the independent fighters who sacrificed their lives for our country! Cheers to Korea’s independence!”
In response, the media outlet claimed that the post “used the cliche language that Koreans use when criticizing Japan.” At the end, it stated that Korea never achieved its independence by sacrificing their own blood; they achieved independence simply because Japan had lost the war.
Original Article (1), (2)
Translated by Dasol Kim
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