BTS’s management have apologised after a picture emerged of member RM wearing a hat that included Nazi-inspired insignia.
The hugely popular K-pop group have already stirred controversy in recent weeks over member Jimin wearing a T-shirt depicting the US atomic bombings in Japan, and the band’s management have now sent their “sincere apologies” over both incidents.
“The incident was in no way intentional,” Big Hit Entertainment said in a lengthy Facebook post on the Nazi imagery and atomic bomb T-shirt, saying that the hat and badge – which depicts a Nazi swastika, eagle and skull – was provided by the publication shooting the picture.
“We would like to offer our sincere apologies for inadvertently inflicting pain and distress to anyone affected by totalitarian regimes in the past… [and] those affected by the use of atomic weapons.”
They added: “Big Hit does not support any organizations or groups oriented towards political extremism and totalitarian beliefs including Nazism… [and] does not condone any activities of war or the use of atomic weapons.”
After the hat picture emerged, Jewish human rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Centre criticised the band, saying: “It is clear that those designing and promoting this group’s career are too comfortable with denigrating the memory of the past.”
They have since “welcomed” the apology by the record company, adding: “We are reaching out to BTS and their management to urge that they harness their international fame to celebrate the good not serve the forces of evil.”
Following the recent atomic bombing T-shirt controversy, a leading Japanese TV channel cancelled a scheduled appearance by the band.
Source: Read Full Article