Topps, an American trading card manufacturing company, has apologized for a newly released product that depicts a Grammy Awards trophy ready to injure the members of K-pop group BTS.
The sticker, called “Bopping K-pop,” features a caricature of bruised BTS members in a game of Whac-A-Mole.
.@Topps Can you explain why you chose to illustrate BTS in this way? The other artists you’ve included have no depiction of violence in their illustrations. Why did this get green-lit? https://t.co/BAVYlvOpKOpic.twitter.com/I4tukzTofg
K-pop fans and members of the Asian community called the company out for incorporating violence on the sticker, especially given that hate crimes against Asians and Asian Americans rise.
Social media users argue that the BTS sticker is racist, according to The Free Press Journal.
You’re depiction of the ONLY nominated Koreans in a wac-a-mole (a hate term used often when referring to sending immigrants back where they came from) during a time where ASAIN HATE CRIME is on the rise? it’s so racist I can’t even believe it got made.. it’s 2021 FOR CHRIST SAKE https://t.co/nGQNtgoFUx
Read the room and what’s been happening in the world this past year, @Topps. Depicting violence only against an Asian artist is fueling rising anti-Asian sentiments which directly impacted tonight’s tragedies in Atlanta. We know you do parody, but this is not a joke. https://t.co/Yj6W6jUkPo
In light of recent heartbreaking events of hate crimes towards Asians, @Topps released a drawing of 875 bruised & battered. Not only is this insensitive but further fueling hate & violence towards the Asian community. This cannot be tolerated. Email template⬇️#RacismIsNotComedypic.twitter.com/AiYI9u6BAY
#StopAsianHate#AsiansAreHuman
This is such a disgraced action toward Asians in general and BTS in particular. While several people promote a harmonious life, this company depicted BTS – Asian artists with bruises, hit by the Grammy award. Shameful you https://t.co/aMdxGYvZYo
Your depiction of an asian artist was with a wac a mole, being beaten by it a time where anti asian hate has been growing tremendously. And why are they the only one shown like that? Is that the xenophobia and racism clouding your fucking minds?#StopAsianHate#AsiansAreHumanhttps://t.co/IRNQx1Gnf9
— 이서연⁷ // busy reviewing for CETs (@Seoyeonnaaahh) March 17, 2021
“We hear and understand our consumers who are upset about the portrayal of BTS in our GPK Shammy Awards product and we apologize for including it,” the company wrote. “We have removed the BTS sticker card from the set, we have not printed any of the sticker card and it will not be available.”
However, countless fans were unsatisfied with the apology, claiming that Topps failed to address the real underlying problem.
You missed to acknowledge the part why people are upset?????? This is not an apology. Apologies properly to BTS and Asian Community.
“I’m sorry you got upset” is not an apology @Topps. Take real responsibility. Acknowledge the insensitivity & implicit racism in your portrayal of BTS. The lack of accountability & deflection of blame only invalidate the feelings of those hurt & contribute to hate against Asians.
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