A German radio host apologized on Saturday, February 27, after he was criticized for comparing Korean boy group BTS to the coronavirus.
The host, Matthias Matuschik, fumed over the group’s cover of “Fix You” for MTV Unplugged. Matuschik said the cover of the Coldplay classic was “blasphemy” and described the global stars as “some crappy virus that hopefully there will be a vaccine for soon as well.”
In the same broadcast, the host defended himself from anticipated allegations of racism even as he doubled down on it. “You can’t accuse me of xenophobia,” he said, pointing out that he has “a car from South Korea” which is “the coolest car ever.”
In its first statement following the backlash, Matuschik said he did not mean to “racially insult” the group and said linking them to the coronavirus was “completely wrong.”
Bayern 3, the radio station, also defended Matuschik, insisting it was not his intention to “hurt the feelings of the BTS fans.”
“It is the character of this show and also of the presenter to express his opinion clearly, openly and unvarnished. In this case, he overshot the mark in his choice of words in an attempt to present his opinion in an ironically exaggerated manner and with exaggeratedly feigned excitement, and thus hurt the feelings of the BTS fans,” the station said, according to the BBC.
Following even more criticism for their statement, Bayern 3 issued another statement, apologizing for Matuschik’s statement and “resolutely distances itself from any form of racism, marginalisation and discrimination,” according to NME.
Neither BTS nor Big Hit, their management company, have responded to Matuschik’s racist remarks. Several of their music collaborators, including Halsey, lauv, and MAX, slammed both Bayern 3 and Matuschik.
“Racism and xenophobia cannot be thinly veiled as ‘on air humor’… I hope a better apology to BTS, and the Asian communities across the world, is on its way,” said Halsey, who was featured in the single “Boy With Luv.”
“Hearing such hateful words used against them by the radio host at Bayern 3 made me sick. The hate to them and the Asian community as a whole is unacceptable,” said MAX, who’s worked with BTS member Suga for his single “Blueberry Eyes” and for a track from Suga’s solo project.
“No one should have to endure this and together we must stand up and stop it,” said lauv, who’s teamed up with BTS for a couple of singles.
BTS debuted in South Korea in 2013 and has since become among the biggest groups in the world. The group recently featured in MTV Unplugged, where they performed songs from their album BE and a cover of “Fix You.”
The group has broken many records, including being the first all-Korean act to top the Billboard charts with their single “Dynamite.” The same single, their first all-English song, was nominated for a Grammy.
Matuschik’s remarks come just as concerns over xenophobia and incidents of hate crime have risen around the world. – Rappler.com
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