BTS Criticized for Alleged Racism in New “Arirang” Release Content
BTS is facing controversy over alleged racism and whitewashing in content for their upcoming release, Arirang.
The controversy began when fans noticed inaccuracies in the animated trailer linked to the album. The story centers on the first recording of the Korean folk song “Arirang” in the 1890s by seven Korean students attending an American university.
These students were actually studying at Howard University, a historically Black college known for educating former slaves and minorities during a time of racial inequality. The students lived among Black faculty and the school had a large Black student population.
The animated trailer shows the students singing at the university but depicts mostly white individuals in the crowd, with Black people barely visible and placed behind white figures.
In 1887, about a third of Howard’s students were white, but the video admits to possible historical inaccuracies, calling itself a “modern reimagining.”
As the situation developed, many accused BTS of whitewashing history and racism.
“So BTS decided to whitewash Howard University in their Arirang trailer?” — u/jazzygrisha, Reddit
“It’s frustrating to see a historically significant Black university erased like this.” — u/jazzygrisha, Reddit
The controversy is gaining traction among K-pop and Black history communities online.
Fans await an official statement from BTS or HYBE as the backlash grows ahead of the album release.