TOKYO ā A Japanese broadcaster canceled a live TV appearance of the Korean band BTS after a photo went viral of a band member wearing a juxtaposed with the celebration of Koreaās liberation from Japan after the Second World War.
Japanese social media was filled with chatter over the photo of Jimin wearing the shirt with an image of a mushroom cloud with the English words āpatriotismā and āKorea.ā
TV Asahi said it had talked with the bandās recording company to try to learn why he wore the T-shirt. The broadcasterās statement also apologized to viewers who had looked forward to the bandās appearance, which had been scheduled for Friday.
Company spokesman Shinya Matsuki declined further comment.
Universal Music said it will continue to support BTS but confirmed their appearance on the live music show āMusic Stationā was canceled.
South Korean K-pop and movie stars are extremely popular in Japan, sometimes in stark contrast to the controversy and hostility than can mark other aspects of the two nationās ties due to Japanās occupation of the Korean Peninsula in the early 20th century until the end of World War II.
Some Japanese fans of the band expressed disgust on Twitter that their show was canceled over a T-shirt.
The seven-member BTS has collaborated with Japanese American DJ and musical artist Steve Aoki and has reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart.
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This is an atomic bomb t shirt dropped in Japan. It is a group that also works in Japan, so please have a little more consciousness. I am sorry just because I like Jimin and I am supporting bts.
