News Anchor Kendis Gibson Under Fire For Disrespecting BTS On TV
Kendis Gibson, an anchor on ABC News‘ World News Now, is being heavily criticized for mocking and disrespecting BTS at the United Nations’ General Assembly with UNICEF.
The program briefly covered RM’s speech, where Kendis Gibson made sarcastic comments about RM’s message to “speak yourself”.
“That’s so poetic. I’m seriously in tears, ‘Speak yourself’.”
— Kendis Gibson
As his co-anchor began to explain the campaign UNICEF and BTS has partnered up for, when Kendis Gibson interrupted her by shaking his head, laughing, and stating BTS are just “a bunch of boy bands from Korea.”
“It’s a bunch of boy bands from Korea. It’s a boy band from Korea… telling us how to live life.”
— Kendis Gibson
He ended with a senseless comment about their dancing.
“They’ve got choreographed dance moves.”
— Kendis Gibson
After the broadcast aired, many fans and non-fans criticized him for being “disrespectful” and “xenophobic”.
I am not a fan of BTS but my friends do. Their advocacies are good. I watched the whole of speech by the BTS before UN Meeting. It is a shame that this anchor named Kendis Gibson threw VERY UNPROFESSIONAL COMMENTS on the said group. Disgusting anchor. https://t.co/KPJdKYb5SB
— Jomell Peralejo (@jominytest) September 26, 2018
@abcWNN hi abc, your reporter kendis gibson had xenophobic and biased remarks that had no factual evidence regarding a unicef partnership with BTS for the Generation 2030 campaign, your company is a leader is fair and factual reporting and this is far below standard,
— 🦇𝖏𝖔𝖔𝖓𝖇𝖔𝖔𝖌𝖎𝖊🦇 (@btsuperlesbian) September 25, 2018
You can actually submit complaints to ABC. Here’s mine: Kendis Gibson’s comments on BTS were absolutely degrading. Getting to speak in front of the UN is a HUGE honor. He should have been more respectful & actually do his research as to who BTS are, their message, & their (1/2)
— Kaylyn (@iTripDinosaurs) September 25, 2018
I don’t knows what’s so laughable about BTS’s speech at the United Nations but all I know is your little display was truly unprofessional. I really hope Kendis Gibson’s behavior is reviewed. @ABC @ABCNetwork
— ☆ faith ☆ loves Jjong // #WJSN1stWin (@lcvesicktae) September 26, 2018
His Twitter page was flooded with fans demanding that he officially apologize to the group.
Apologize to BTS ARMYhttps://t.co/A0ZLGLtWDp pic.twitter.com/tgSVbU4dM1
— 🌾🍁🍂🐯뷔쿵🍁🍂🌾 (@u3Bie3UHeR8Ptxz) October 2, 2018
why giving negative remarks to asian group?knowing it comes from you? You should know how to respect all races..
You mess up with wrong group and its fan. Sorry not sorry.
— Maureen Jane Lachica-Duque (@Maureen523) October 2, 2018
Kendis, your own ABC station around the country compared BTS to the Beatles in how they are influencing the world……why did you disrespect them like that? We will not stop until there is some discipline action against you by ABC….
— Chris (@6585gkhan) October 2, 2018
It is very wrong to mock an artist who made an official speech to an anchor.
By racist remarks, you are not an anchor, nor qualified to run the news.
We want a formal apology.— 전진영 (@JJY_HYYH) October 2, 2018
Apologuse for belittling BTS. RM spoke out against racist and encouraged everyone to be themselves, not for someone like you to thrash him. Yes their moves are choreographed, but at least their words aren't scripted like yours. They're role models, idols, artists. Apologise. pic.twitter.com/kh5rZSEZVr
— adina malik (@adxna_m) October 2, 2018
