Channel 9 Issues Half-Assed Apology For BTS Segment Following Major Fan Backlash
The saga continues.
Channel 9 has issued a sheepish apology after a questionable segment about K-pop band BTS garnered a severe backlash from fans.
During the ranking program 20 to One on Wednesday night, co-hosts Erin Molan and Nick Cody called BTS “the biggest band you’ve never heard of”, and casually joked about how “only one band member actually speaks English”.
“When I first heard something Korean had exploded in America, I got worried,” comedian Jimmy Carr said in the segment. “So it could have been worse. But not much worse.”
The segment also contains an interview with Australian Idol finalist Rob Mills, who calls their singing “passable”, and a brief, soundless clip of BTS speaking at the UN, delivering a presentation about bullying and hope that the 20 To One presenters dismiss as probably being about “hair products.”
Watch the clip below.
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
BTS fans quickly caught on, and the broadcaster was suddenly inundated with messages from furious fans — the hashtag #Channel9Apologize racked up hundreds of thousands of tweets.
Channel 9 initially tried to brush off the controversy, telling News.com.au: “As a lighthearted 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.”
They’ve now apologised further, issuing a message (in English and Korean) that states they “apologise for any disrespect”.
— 20 to One (@20toOne) June 20, 2019
Predictably, fans still aren’t impressed.
You’ve just shown us unacceptable excuse.
We demand a more straightforward answer and a more proactive
apology to preventing
a recurrence .우리는 더 솔직한 답변과
재발방지를 위한 적극적인 사과를 요구합니다.#channel9apologize#channel9apologizetoBTS #channel9racist— 🌸둘셋🌸 (@koallla2) June 20, 2019
the only reason y’all are apologizing is because it got big. y’all aren’t sorry at all but just worried about views and reputation.
— agatha ʷⁱᵗʰ ˡᵘᵛ (@gukthobi) June 20, 2019
This below mediocre sentence, which I refuse to call apology, clearly shows how you continue to disrespect the group and their fans for not taking the matter seriously. However, not surprised, as character that you previously depicted tells what kind of values you share
— 하꼬바라기 💜 국포 (@naaadmd) June 20, 2019