An Indian TV network which is the most-viewed Hindi station featured a Chinese segment on May 9th. They tackled the irresponsible behavior of the Chinese government during the initial COVID-19 outbreak.
However, they used EXO's Chanyeol picture which was taken in 2015 at the Seoul International airport during the segment. Shortly after the initial news broadcast, the whole clip was posted on their official Youtube channel. EXO fans quickly noticed the photo and left comments saying that the man in the photos is a Korean celebrity.
United supporters of EXO immediately pointed the racist behavior of the Indian news station and began to demand for an apology by using the hashtag #ApologizeIndiaTV. They want the station to take full responsibility and apologize to the lead rapper of EXO, Chanyeol.
Below are the reaction of the netizens and EXO-Ls:
"That's so bogged down, aren't you a news network? How how can you use a KOREAN performer's image when you speak directly about CHINA. That is rude, disrespectful, and racist. We look forward to reading an admission of wrongdoing for the artist. No words and phrases, literally. #ApologizeIndiaTV"
"You people are a news station, and you demonstrate racist behavior through the use of a KOREAN artist to speak directly about CHINA! For that, you should take full responsibility and apologize to the Korean artist. #ApologizeIndiaTV @indiatvnews"
Some fans even reported the YouTube video, which shows the racial reference of India TV News towards Korean personalities. The YouTube video has now been taken down after massive reporting from fans and netizens.
"Immediately report this clip on youtube @indiatvnews uploaded to their youtube channel for the latest news feature, and at the 1.48 frame, I believe they used a Korean artist image. This is clearly disrespectful. #ApologizeIndiaTV@SMTOWNGLOBAL @weareoneEXO"
"For everyone who doesn't know exactly what happened: IndiaTV made a news coverage of the Covid-19 global pandemic criticizing & "disclosing" China. They used the picture of Pcy, although he is Korean. That is racism, and it is unethical. Supporters are gaining traction and trending #ApologizeIndiaTV."
News Broadcasting stations are legally required to exchange accurate and validated facts for their coverage. This has to be efficiently done by their staff members. The whole video should've been fact-checked at least two to five times before they being broadcasted ON-AIR.
The way the Indian TV Network used an image of a Korean artist while lambasting another Asian country is a complete demonstration of their lack of journalistic expertise.
As for now, India TV has chosen remain silent about the issue, but fans wish they would step forward to take full responsibility and apologize formally to Chanyeol.
EDIT: Shortly after the release of numerous articles on this subject, the clip was turned to private, and several people requested not to use the hashtag but to use e-mail alternatively. Netizens and fans hope this will fix the problem soon!
