Big Hit Entertainment
Recently, BTS performed at the’Grammy Awards’ for the first time as a Korean singer. Trading card maker to celebrate this Grammy Awards TopsUnveiled the’Garbage Pale Kids Sticker Collection’ with the theme of the Grammy Award. The company’s illustrations ridiculously satirize musicians, but in the case of BTS, the degree is so severe that it is racist, and criticism and controversy that it is not appropriate for the recent trend of increasing hate crimes against Asians has raised intense criticism and controversy.
In addition to BTS, this collection, titled “Shammy Awards,” includes illustrations from Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Billy Eileish, Megan De Stallion, and Harry Styles.
Let’s check out the shocking picture of BTS released by Tops below.
Topps
In the illustration above, BTS’s face is full of wounds and bruises as if they were hit with a trophy at the Grammy Awards. On the day this illustration was released, at least eight people, including four Korean Americans, died in a suspected crime of’Asian racial discrimination’ in Atlanta, USA. As the controversy grew, Tops announced an apology and announced that he would remove the image of BTS from the upcoming collection.
″We apologize to customers who would have been angry and unhappy with the BTS illustrations that were going to be in this collection. I will remove the BTS card from this set. There are no cards printed yet.”
ㅡ Tops’ apology posted on the official Twitter
Despite Tops’ apology, many still pointed out Tops’ fault.
Twitter user Nick JoeAttached an illustration of BTS uploaded by Tops, criticized that “Tops is saying that assault against Asians is laughable at a time when crimes against Asians are increasing.”
USA TodayFatima Farha in Twitter said what Tops did was not satire, but apparent racism.
″I just saw the BTS picture drawn by Tops. This is not satire. It’s obvious racism. There is something I would like to say to people who dismiss it as just being funny. Depicting violence against Asian groups during these times is a dangerous thing to show their hatred towards them. How the hell happened?”
Fatima
One fan account that shares articles and information related to BTS pointed out that Tops’ apology was inappropriate.
″Tops’ apology is not a true apology. I want you to take real responsibility. Admit that you were racist when describing BTS. If you don’t take responsibility, you’re ignoring the feelings of those who are hurt, and it’s an act that contributes to hatred toward Asians.”
Ahn Jung-yoon Editor: [email protected]