New Yorker journalist is drawing backlash due to her recently-published article about BTS. Because of its content, the K-pop community trended the hashtags #TammyKimApologize and #NewYorkerApologize to call out the writer.
Reporter Releases Article About BTS– Why Is It Getting Hate?
On June 21, a contributing writer for The New Yorker released an article, titled "How BTS Became the Most Popular Band in History." As written in the title, it was meant to "deep dive" into the rich subculture of BTS and ARMY (fandom).
Upon release, the article written by E. Tammy Kim received rave reviews from K-pop fans, editors, TV reporters, and fellow writers for its "in-depth and detailed analysis of BTS's journey."
However, the praises did not last long. Other K-pop fandoms, particularly SHINee World (Shawol) and VIPs (BIGBANG fans), expressed frustrations over the unnecessary mention of their favorite artists.
Article Mentions SHINee Jonghyun, BIGBANG – Here's Why Fans Are Angry
When the article reached the attention of other fandoms, they quickly expressed their displeasure.
During the part where the writer mentioned how BTS worked with organizations for children and women, E. Tammy Kim briefly mentioned SHINee Jonghyun and his extreme decision, which is a sensitive topic for Shawols.
"In 2017—the same year that Kim Jonghyun, a singer in the K-pop group SHINee, died by suicide—BTS launched a campaign with UNICEF to combat violence against children and teens."
Shawols pointed out that Jonghyun's passing is unrelated.
while jonghyun was using his platform to get korean laws changed, bring attention to israeli occupation, call out discrimination towards transgender people, you’re out here disrespecting him to get a few clicks https://t.co/aRqq1lpjsO
— 🍊 (@oddshift_) June 21, 2022
What disappointed fans the most was how the writer seemed to summarize the singer's life in a single sentence, "discrediting" him for the legacy he built.
Not only had he been in the music scene for years, but he was also one of the first artists who voiced out against social injustice, mental health and LGBT+ rights.
ALSO READ: 6 Songs SHINee Jonghyun Wrote For Other Singers You Should Listen to, Proving He's Really K-pop's 'Poet|Artist'
VIPs were also goaded when the writer mentioned BIGBANG on the part where she talked about how BTS' ARMY made an LGBT+ Chinese fan feel welcome in the fandom.
"An ARMY named Wang in Chengdu, China, who identifies as gay, though not publicly, told me, “There’s a big queer component of BTS. The fandom feels really welcoming.” (Contrast this with the K-pop group Big Bang, whose singers have been convicted of sex trafficking, gambling, and drug crimes.)."
VIPs emphasized that adding the group's situation with the Korean law is unnecessary for the article. They defended the members for the misleading description.
The fandom also highlighted that the "crimes" of the group do not affect how welcoming VIPs are to fans who are members of LGBT+. In fact, G-Dragon himself is well-known for supporting the community, who even has a tattoo dedicated to them.
In response to the hashtags, E. Tammy Kim only wrote:
What are your thoughts on this issue?
READ MORE: 9 K-pop Idols Who Shut Down Gender Stereotypes With Their Genderless Image
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Written by Eunice Dawson
