Hosts of a radio show in the Dominican Republic are under fire for ignorant remarks made on-air about members of Korean supergroup BTS.
A barrage of insults: Program “Esto No Es Radio” has earned the wrath of many BTS fans (AKA the ARMY) after ridiculing the popular boyband and calling them the “Chinese Backstreet Boys,” HITC reported.
- Speaking in Spanish, the hosts referred to BTS’ music as “young girls’ religion,” which fans viewed as a means to invalidate the group’s success.
- Host Ariel Santana also commented on the members’ looks: “They are like, of that part of the world, but they make surgery on themselves to look like North American but mixed with Asian.”
- Another host chimed in with: “They are Chinese grafts.”
- The discussion continued on the influence of BTS on the global popularity of Korean music. Part of the commentary touched on young girls spending a significant amount of time going ‘crazy’ over the artists.
- The vice minister of bilateral foreign policy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs José Julio Gómez condemned the radio hosts on Twitter. “We Dominicans are not like that,” he wrote on the social media platform.
- The radio show has refused to apologize stating that there wasn’t any “racist intent” during the segment, according to La Republica.
Demanding apology: Outraged after the problematic comments surfaced online, BTS fans have now organized to demand an apology from the radio station, using #StopAsianHate and #XenophobiaIsNotHumor on social media.
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- In February, a similar incident happened after a German radio host compared BTS to COVID-19 live on air, NextShark previously reported.
- Host Matthias Matuschik said members of the BTS were “some crappy virus that hopefully there will be a vaccine for soon as well.”
BTS members, who are outspoken supporters of the #StopAsianHate movement, released a statement in March, saying: “We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.”
Featured Image via Hype Labels (left) Estonoesradio (right)
