BBC’s Insulting Remarks on K-pop Groups Explode Online

BBC News recently published an article titled “You’ve probably never heard of the biggest band at Glastonbury,”introducing K-pop sensation SEVENTEEN and their highly anticipated performance at the upcoming Glastonbury Festival in the UK.

Despite this, what garnered the interest of fans globally was BBC’s negative reference to other well-known K-pop groups.

The tone of the article shifted to a derogatory one when BBC mentioned BTS, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and aespa, insinuating that their popular songs were primarily due to their collaborations with Western artists such as Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and Coldplay.

You’ve probably never heard of the biggest band at Glastonbury https://t.co/g9Yld8a8sh

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 23, 2024

This broad statement not only mischaracterized the accomplishments of these groups but also devalued their individual triumphs.

In response, K-pop fans utilized various social media platforms to voice their disappointment and frustration.

One fan tweeted, “BBC’s ignorance is appalling. BTS, BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and aespa have achieved immense success on their own merits. They deserve better recognition.”

Another fan commented, “It’s disappointing to see a reputable news outlet like BBC resorting to such careless remarks. aespa, for instance, has not collaborated with Western artists but has still made significant strides in the industry.”

The error in spelling aespa’s name in the article only intensified the backlash, as fans criticized the well-known media source for not paying attention to detail.

The BBC’s article has sparked a significant backlash, with hashtags condemning the article gaining traction on various social media platforms.

At the same time, the BBC labeled Sulli, a 25-year-old actress-singer and former member of the girl group f(x), as a rebel in the traditional world of K-pop. Her bold personality and tendency to speak her mind often led to backlash and online harassment as she challenged the norms of the industry.

Despite the societal pressure for K-pop idols to project a perfect and pleasing image, Sulli bravely used her platform to address important topics like mental health, cyberbullying, and women’s rights. Despite finding success as a member of f(x), Sulli faced malicious rumors and ultimately chose to take a hiatus in 2015 before ultimately departing from the group.

Despite facing societal norms, she persisted in challenging conventions by openly discussing her relationships and promoting personal expression through fashion. Her passing on October 14, 2019, brought attention to the struggles and obstacles that nonconforming female artists in the K-pop industry face.