At the 2022 Grammys, Korean boyband BTS got everyone talking with their stunning fashion statements, James Bond-inspired performance and their cute interaction with other celebrities in attendance. However, one Australian talk show host decided to focus on group’s recent brush with Covid-19 in its coverage. But what’s more, they edited a video to suggest that BTS’ V was spreading the virus at the event.
An Australian talk show, The Project, used snippets of BTS’ ‘Butter’ performance and footage of their reactions for their Grammy recap. However, it was when they edited footage of BTS member V (Kim Taehyung) to suggest that he spread the Covid-19 virus at Grammys by coughing that the internet was up in arms. The snippet was paired with a narrator stating, “K-pop sensation BTS dropped in, dismissing their very recent battles with Covid-19.”
The snippet was actually meant for a segment to introduce the Australian trio of RÜFÜS DU SOL who have won their first Grammy award for best dance/electronic recording on Sunday. Unsurprisingly, it left people irked online, who dubbed the video racist.
Still figuring out how racism is considered so ✨humourous ✨ like man that made me roll on the floor and wheeze my lungs out for sure
APOLOGIZE TO BTS!!!! pic.twitter.com/WP8rgqnQ5w— taewali⁷ ─ ♥︎ bangtan are my dandelions (@_taeika_) April 4, 2022
The moment used in the video was actually captured when the member was grooving and enjoying Justin Bieber’s ‘Peaches’ performance at the Grammys.
Check out the original video:
You know V is thinking about how he can incorporate his saxophone into Justin Bieber’s #Peaches. 🎷 #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/N5RMVflp5q
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) April 4, 2022
All seven members of the band have suffered from Covid-19, with band’s main singer Jungkook just recovering and coming out of the quarantine a day ahead of Sunday’s performance.
After receiving a backlash online, the Australian TV show did remove the video but have not apologised yet. Fans slammed the TV show for editing the original video with bad intension, and called them “clout chasers”. People are demanding an apology, reminding that the pandemic is still ongoing and anti-Asian hate crimes around the world are at its peak.
The backlash made #StopAsianHate and ‘Apologise to BTS’ trend worldwide with BTS’ fan group, called ARMY, tweeting in support.
Also … In case this isn’t clear: V was laughing and the outlet added graphics to make it look like he was spreading COVID. They knew exactly what they were doing. It’s not just a “joke.” This is disgusting and it’s this kind of action that normalizes racism. #StopAsianHate
— Jae-Ha Kim 김재하 (@GoAwayWithJae) April 4, 2022
. @theprojecttv says they’re news delivered differently, but looks like the same Xenophobic, racist and terribly NOT FUNNY “jokes” we continuously see on Australian Television.
Deleting is not good enough.
Apologize.#StopAsianHate
— BTS Australia⁷ 🐙💜 (@bts_aus) April 5, 2022
I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that you maliciously edited a video, put a coughing sound on it with horrendous effects to make it look like Tae was spreading the virus. We still demand and won’t stop till we get a proper apology. @theprojecttv #TheProjectTVRacist pic.twitter.com/RslSf7LY5L
— s ᵛ (@kthtete1230) April 5, 2022
Disgustingly racist. They did it on purpose. There’s no way anyone in media in the big year of 2022 cannot understand the seriousness of making Covid 19 “jokes” about Asian. @theprojecttv needs to formally Apologize to BTS & hold their staff accountable #RespectBTS #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/sAhOR7zNwX
— Mu⁷ (@130613fate) April 4, 2022
If your initial idea of an edit for a clip that shows Asian public figures is to relate them to the virus/cov1d, then I suggest you seek help.
It’s racist, you’re being utterly despicable, and you’re perpetuating hate against Asians. Don’t even try to mask it as a joke.— Dita ⁷ (@almostdita) April 4, 2022
You used your show, “The Project”, which many Australians tune into every night, to perpetuate hate against Asians during a time where anti-Asian hate crimes is at its highest. Issue a formal apology immediately
— 𝑺𝑱𝑴 | JIMIN OST (@stussyjimin) April 4, 2022
Racism is not a joke and this is really disrespectful. Taehyung was enjoying Justin’s performance ,he wasn’t spreading covid 19 .@theprojecttv Apologize to BTS! pic.twitter.com/w030T7CWOP
— Saumya⁷ (@saumyashreya419) April 4, 2022
wtf is wrong with you people? promoting asian hate? its funny that you will do everything for clout. for fame, for recognition even if it means hating on someone. GET A LIFE. APOLOGIZE TO BTS. APOLOGIZE TO TAEHYUNG !! #BTS_twt deserves so much better https://t.co/vbve0hjj5Z
— 💜 (@yowits_maine) April 4, 2022
The LIE you are perpetrating here, that V coughed & this is somehow related to COVID, is dangerous & literally killing people. I just re-watched that clip. V never coughed; he was laughing. Delete this & you need to issue an apology.
How do we report this? #StopAsianHate
— 살아있다 ⁷ (@SaraBangtan07) April 4, 2022
it’s comedy? no, obviously? it’s disguised racism, plain and simple. the attempt at humor is straight up disrespectful. gone are the days where we let stuff like this pass without repercussions. apologize and take down the post. #StopAsianHate https://t.co/oJmWIHXk4k
— sweet_army💜 (@BelenWenilyn) April 4, 2022
We are tired of the perpetual hate against Asian artists. There’re many ways to engage your audience and yet you’ve chosen to associate an Asian act with a very serious and ongoing pandemic. It’s unacceptable. We demand a take down of this post and an apology. #StopAsianHate https://t.co/lpE4TKpBxi
— Taehyung Naver || 네이버 김태형 (@naver_taehyung) April 4, 2022
This vile behaviour towards Asians has to stop !! BTS has always been a target !! What was the point of that derogatory edit ??!! Because of racists like them violence towards Asian people has risen !
RACISM IS NOT A JOKE
APOLOGIZE TO BTS #RespectBTS#StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/MF16dhnseG— Aaru.0613⟬⟭ (@Jeonshi_7) April 4, 2022
