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.
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.
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.
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.
62k likes and a large chunk of them being kpop stans who feel the need to side with literal neonazis just cause they dont like bts oh yall are not normal in any capacity like seriously have some fucking shame pic.twitter.com/XtpLVBOeBF https://t.co/KVA0zIJGVE
— ely⁷⭐️ (@taekuv) July 13, 2024
when will japanese neo-nazis leave bts alone man 🧎they have nothing to do w ur hate boner for korea. also calling hanbok ‘comfort women clothes’ is fucking insane considering it was japanese soldiers who pioneered that shit dpmo https://t.co/iqOFiAjTbi
— (winnie the) rooh⁷ (@btsprodsuga) July 13, 2024
Some also pointed out the irony of Japanese nationalists invoking historical grievances while glossing over Japan's own wartime atrocities.
Dumbasses liking this when this cvnt said Koreans r descendants of pr0stitutes. Mind u those “pr0stitutes” were comfort women that the Japanese r@ped and tortured. But yall will never admit to ur war crimes. https://t.co/G5o44dAn50
— 인절미⁷ 👩🏻🚀 (@blueming_13) July 12, 2024
This Japanese argued that a white top&black skirt as "Japanese military sexual slavery costume." BTW. It was a school uniform for Korean girls in the 1920s~50s. How horrible is the difference between two eyes on one history. https://t.co/6y8MRhx2YL
— 한복저장소 (@HanbokPantry) July 13, 2024
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.
This move further polarized opinions, leading to heated debates online about cultural sensitivity and historical awareness.
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?"
KpopStarz owns this article.
Written by Cassidy Jones.
