PETALING JAYA, April 6 — Australian talk show The Project has been slammed by BTS fans as racist after editing a clip to suggest that BTS’ V was spreading Covid-19 at the Grammys.
The edited video clip shows V, or Kim Tae-hyung who was originally singing to Justin Beiber’s Peaches but edited to show that he was coughing with animated Covid-19 particles were being emitted from his mouth.
Shared widely on Twitter by Army fans, many were angered over the deliberately edited videoclip and have been using the #StopAsianHate to gain solidarity online.
なんでこんな編集の仕方するの?
— その辺にいるオタク (@im_xsua) April 4, 2022
本当にありえない。
テヒョン音楽にノリノリなんだよ!!!!?#StopAsianHate #bts #GRAMMYs #GrammyAwards #グラミー賞 #v #taehyung #テヒョン #テテ pic.twitter.com/Sp9E9EcmNy
The recap video was paired with a narrator stating, “K-pop sensation BTS dropped in, dismissing their very recent battles with Covid-19.”
BTS fans, ARMY, took to Twitter to express their anger and disappointment at the edited clip with the hashtag #StopAsianHate to demand an apology and a removal of the video
“We condemn these microaggressions being demonstrated towards Asian artists and demand a takedown of the post including a formal apology,” wrote the post.
“Of all the people in attendance who had recovered from Covid-19, The Project pointed out BTS added graphics to show V coughing/spreading germs.
“This is a time when anti-Asian hate is at an all-time high and people who look like me are being beaten or killed,” wrote another ARMY.
We condemn these microaggressions being demonstrated towards Asian artists & demand a takedown of the post & a formal apology #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/Vdc1uqmJ9a
— 🍞テテ🐻คิดถึงน้องแทⓋᵀᵃᵉ¹¹⁸ thv キムテヒョン (@vanteTae3027) April 4, 2022
“We’re Asian and doesn’t mean we spread Covid-19. You should apologise to BTS and especially V,” wrote another Twitter user.
Wtf- we're Asian doesn't mean we spread COVID. 😡😡🤬🤬 You should apologize to BTS and especially V.
— Nehu⁶🐼 (@btslover621) April 4, 2022
APOLOGIZE TO BTS#StopAsianHate #RespectBTS pic.twitter.com/dYuOafWwoP
BTS management group Big Hit revealed that its member Jungkook recently tested Covid-19 positive on March 29 but had recovered just in time for the band’s appearance at the awards ceremony.