Following BTS's controversy in China over their Van Fleet Award acceptance speech, Chinese netizens who claim to be former fans of the group are burning their merchandise.
Following the controversy, Chinese netizens trended the hashtag #Leaving_BTS_Fandom (English translation). The hashtag topped the real-time search engine charts at the time. With the hashtag, Chinese netizens who claimed to be former fans of the group shared videos of them burning their BTS merchandise and posted offensive hand-written messages.
Additionally, former fans shared screen recording of them deleting old posts supporting the group off of their social media accounts.
Korean netizens slammed Chinese netizens for their decision to burn their BTS merchandise. Many found it ridiculous and took it too far, as BTS had not mentioned China or the Chinese troops during their acceptance speech.
Read netizens comments here:
"Wow, this is ridiculous."
"Why are they trying to manipulate history and spread hateful comments about BTS? BTS never said anything or did anything bad about China. They didn't even mention China during the 6.25 speech."
"You guys fought on the side of the enemy!"
"RM was never obligated to thanks China for 6.25."
"BTS is composed of all South Koreans. They are allowed to make their statement about 6.25."
"We are not North Korea. Even if we want peace among the two Koreas, this speech had nothing to do with that. It had nothing to do with that. Because of you people, the situation is getting worse."
"Wow, despite everything, it appears there really is no true freedom of speech when it comes to China."
"BTS, fighting!"
It was previously was announced that BTS was one of the winners of the Van Fleet Award thanks to their contributions to the development of U.S.-South Korean relations. Annually, the awards are given to a group or an individual who has contributed to the betterment of U.S.-South Korean relations. BTS is the only K-pop group this year to have received the award.
BTS gave a heartwarming thank you speech during the online ceremony. They talked about how music has the ability to unite others and their hopes for their music to continue being a link for people all over the world. However, part of RM's speech did not sit well with Chinese netizens, as they interpreted it as an insult towards their fallen soldiers.
During BTS's speech for the Van Fleet Award, RM said, "We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together and the sacrifices of countless men and women." According to Chinese netizens, this part is seen as disrespectful towards China's troops, as they too had fought during the Korean War. During the Korean War, China had sided with North Korea and the Soviet Union, causing a number of China's soldiers to sacrifice their lives.
As the controversy started rising in China, the deputy director of the Foreign Ministry information Department of the People's Republic of China released a short statement concerning BTS's speech. He spoke about the need to learn about world history and promote love, peace, and friendship.
