A TV show in Japan scrapped Friday’s scheduled appearance by K-pop phenoms BTS after one of its members was spotted wearing a controversial shirt.
A photo that spread online showing Jimin in a sweatshirt depicting the U.S. atomic bombing of Japan along with the Korean independence slogan “PATRIOTISM OUR HISTORY LIBERATION KOREA.”
TV Asahi, which airs the popular Music Station, said in a statement: “A T-shirt design worn by one of the members caused controversy... we had been discussing it with the record label. However, we decided to postpone their appearance this time.”
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. pic.twitter.com/x37nZs8pJG
— 髙橋裕司 (Yuji T) (@YuJett) November 9, 2018
In 1945, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing hundreds of thousands of people and causing radiation sickness in thousands more in the years that followed. The bombings led to Japan’s surrender and the end of its 35-year rule of the Korean peninsula.
It’s not clear when the photo of Jimin was taken. Some reports claim the photos was taken as far back as 2013 while others said he wore the shirt on Korea’s Liberation Day this past Aug. 15.
When the pic went viral in October, it started trending on Twitter in Japan with the hashtag “Unforgiveable.”
BTS has not directly addressed the controversy but apologized for “disappointing fans.” In a message on their website, it added: “BTS will continue their efforts to connect with fans on stage and also through music.”