“BTS Effect” Or Racism? K-Pop Group’s Appearance On “Britain’s Got Talent” Sparks Intense Debate
The performance of a fourth-generation boy group, Blitzers, on the popular reality show Britain’s Got Talent has caused some significant debate online.
On May 19, the official YouTube channel of Britain’s Got Talent posted the audition video of Blitzers, where they performed American pop star Shawn Mendes’s “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back.” Apart from their impeccable vocals and stage presence, Blitzers also left the audience impressed with the original rap they added to the song. In the end, the group received a standing ovation from the audience and an all-yes verdict from the panel of judges!
While for fans, the warm reception Blitzers received was a cause for celebration, some noticed a small detail that became a heated debate afterward. At the end of their performance, when the members were bowing to the audience and the judges, BTS’s “Dynamite” was played on the speakers.
Dynamite playing on Britains Got Talent after another k-pop group just performed there 😭 pic.twitter.com/gYri82S8ji
— zara⁷ (@slayndan) May 18, 2024
For some BTS fans, it was a moment of pride since they saw it as an irrefutable acknowledgment of BTS’s reach overseas.
BTS you’ll always be famous pic.twitter.com/esK6kx9j9v
— zara⁷ (@slayndan) May 18, 2024
It’s a small group who auditioned there. So as for after auditionees, Dynamite usage could be valid and inoffensive, but either way goes to show general public knows BTS not kpop🤷♀️ pic.twitter.com/Iz3sy9sS8Q
— gomooshin⁷ (@taesoothe) May 18, 2024
Need I say it again? pic.twitter.com/fJWEddXFUf
— ali (@squeeeeuqs) May 18, 2024
Many, however, took offense to this incident, pointing out how playing BTS’s song after another Korean group performed on the show was a clear act of racist microaggression.
of course racism is funny when its not targeted at bts themselves okay….same way yall got mad at NCT bc someone called THEM bts how the hell that work https://t.co/tHuJsrvzp5
— ⭐️ (@synthpoptruther) May 20, 2024
the way y’all perpetuate racism against asians bc you THINK it benefits your faves needs to be studied https://t.co/OOpFhw7Kae
— ♡illumi’s dirty needle♡ (@WHORESCOPE_1117) May 20, 2024
it’s almost like they don’t see BTS as artists and play them for anyone and everyone that’s east asian https://t.co/UZKunyuWxQ
— Saf⁷ (@muzziemulti) May 20, 2024
not all male Kpop groups need to be compared to the Tannies all the damn time. It's so inane to me that y'all be making such a great moment for another group about a group that's BEEN successful. Let these boys have their moment and move the fuck on. https://t.co/ZwJgybWYAU pic.twitter.com/KYSq7VUuV8
— lisey⁷₈ ʳᵖʷᵖ ⚜️⏳(IA) || FAN ACCOUNT 🍉 (@borandfauna) May 19, 2024
when will you realize that this kind of casual racism is bad & it affects bts themselves too ..? https://t.co/tS5i4Ll5JD
— ۟ (@72HAE) May 20, 2024
Usually, for auditions like these, Britain’s Got Talent ends the performance by replaying whatever song the contestant performed on stage. Playing “Dynamite” was a choice out of the norm, which has given rise to polarizing opinions about their actual intentions.
What do you feel happened here?
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