Channel 9 have been slammed on social media for presenting a “racist” and “disgusting” segment on Korean band BTS.
On Wednesday night, the show 20 to One featured BTS in its list-based ranking of the latest global crazes.
Co-hosts Erin Molan and Nick Cody referred to the seven-member group as the “biggest band you’ve never heard of” and “the South Korean One Direction”.
The co-hosts mentioned the band had become the first Korean act to have a number one single in the US even though “only one member actually speaks English”.
Cody also joked that the group talked about “hair products” in their speech at the United Nations last year.
The segment also featured commentaries by celebrities. In one of the aired clips, comedian Jimmy Carr said, “When I first heard something Korean had exploded in America, I got worried. So I guess, it could have been worse. But not much worse.”
Actor and Australian Idol finalist Rob Mills also called the group’s singing “passable”.
BTS fans have panned the segment on social media for their “racist” depiction of the band, leading the hashtag #Channel9Apologise to trend on Twitter.
I’m sorry but as an Australian this is embarrassing. Racist jokes and mocking their entire career just don’t cut it. And I’m pre sure you don’t just ask randos if their gay and thinks it’s okay. Congrats on triggering a whole community #channel9apologize pic.twitter.com/BIox8LYCrq
— stan gg’s y’all (@tofuhyunie) June 19, 2019
We respectfully ask Channel 9 and the organisers of the 20 To One show to apologise and seek to change their ways to ensure that their content is based on inclusion rather than exclusion and racial tendencies #channel9apologise #channel9apologize
— Luke Waltham (@lukewaltham) June 19, 2019
One can not like something & still not be a racist xenophobic dick about it. Felt so uncomfortable watching ur news segment about BTS I wanted to vomit. Is this a joke? You’re responsible for your image and still did shit like that willingly. A cancelling today #Channel9Apologize
— wiktoria (@yoongispuppy) June 19, 2019
i was absolutely disgusted at @20toOne‘s segment tonight about BTS so i wrote this letter and sent it to channel 9 and free tv australia (the industry body representing all of Australia’s commercial free-to-air television broadcasters) #Channel9Apologize @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/HmFDjXnVQk
— li 💜 (@miniminyoongi) June 19, 2019
Channel 9 has apologised “for any disrespect and offence taken”.
⤠pic.twitter.com/3hSOYp93aH
— 20 to One (@20toOne) June 20, 2019
A spokesperson told SBS, “As a light-hearted entertainment program, it is our belief that last night’s episode of 20 to One, which highlighted the ‘Greatest Global Crazes’, did not breach any broadcast regulations, and was intended to humorously highlight the popularity of the group.
“We apologise to any who may have been offended by last night’s episode.”
Since its debut in 2013, BTS has become the act with the most number one hits on Billboard‘s World Digital Song Sales chart. Last year, it became the first K-Pop group to speak at the United Nations for the Generation Unlimited campaign “to ensure every young person is in education, training or employment by 2030”.
