Kpop Review

BTS RM Takes Stand Against Anti-Korean Criticism, ARMYs Rise Against Derogatory Comments

In a recent uproar within the K-Pop community, a resurfaced video featuring BTS leader RM has reignited tensions between Korean and Japanese netizens.

The video, originally posted by a right-wing Japanese netizen, depicts RM playfully singing a popular Korean song, “Dokdo Is Our Land,” while wearing a hanbok, a traditional Korean garment. [video_shortcode_youtube src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/YBv8dT4obdc”]

The Dokdo Islands, known as Takeshima in Japan, are a longstanding point of contention between South Korea and Japan, each claiming sovereignty over the islets located in the East Sea (Sea of Japan).

What sparked significant backlash was not just the video itself but also the caption provided by the Japanese netizen, which referred to the hanbok as “comfort women’s clothes,” a deeply derogatory and historically insensitive remark.

BTS (Photo : instiz)

The term “comfort women” refers to women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II, predominantly from Korea.

The video quickly gained traction after being reposted by a Japanese media outlet with a similar derogatory caption, drawing condemnation from international fans of BTS, known as ARMYs, and others within the K-Pop community.

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BTS RM (Photo : instiz)

Social media platforms were flooded with outrage, with many accusing the original poster of perpetuating historical distortions and nationalist sentiments.

International ARMYs took to Twitter to express their indignation, criticizing the use of such inflammatory language and highlighting the historical context behind the hanbok.

Some also pointed out the irony of Japanese nationalists invoking historical grievances while glossing over Japan’s own wartime atrocities.

However, the controversy took a twist when some international fanbases of other K-Pop groups seemingly amplified the video with misleading captions, exacerbating tensions between Korean fans and certain international fandoms.

BTS RM (Photo : instiz)

This move further polarized opinions, leading to heated debates online about cultural sensitivity and historical awareness.

nilia/twitter (Photo : instiz)

Korean netizens, while primarily focusing their criticism on the Japanese right-wing narrative, also expressed disappointment with the international fan reaction, accusing some of perpetuating misunderstandings and misrepresentations.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE NETIZENS’ COMMENTS:

“The i-roaches have started again.”

“Aren’t they embarrassed?”

“I usually hate getting involved in any fight between international fandoms, but this needs to be called out publicly.”

“Comfort women…Have they gone crazy?”

“The historical distortion is driving me f*cking crazy, LOL.”

“They’re distorting our history. Are they all even sane?”

“What’s the issue of these overseas fans?”

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