Billboard Music Awards 2017: Backlash Over BTS Win Proves How Racist People Can Be

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/05/23/bts-billboard-music-awards-2017_n_16768224.html[6/16/2017 10:59:35 AM]

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HuffPost Canada | By Isabelle Khoo

Posted: 05/23/2017 12:58 pm EDT Updated: 05/24/2017 11:35 am EDT

Billboard Music Awards 2017:Backlash Over BTS Win ProvesHow Racist People Can Be

BTS, a South Korean boy band, deserved all the celebration on Sunday night whenthey became the frst K-Pop group to be nominated and win a Billboard Music Awardfor Top Social Artist.

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Billboard Music Awards 2017: Backlash Over BTS Win Proves How Racist People Can Be

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/05/23/bts-billboard-music-awards-2017_n_16768224.html[6/16/2017 10:59:35 AM]

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BTS at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

But unfortunately, some people took to Twitter to express their outrage because theydidn’t think an Asian group deserved to win over stars such as Justin Bieber, ArianaGrande, Shawn Mendes and Selena Gomez.

The backlash on social media proves how shockingly racist people can be.

Who are these Asians!? #BBMA

— SHANELLICA (@nonchalantKUNT) May 22, 2017

@briannampnelson The ignorance is astounding. Who are BTS? You couldn't saythat? You had to say Who are these Asians in bowl cuts. Not derogatory at all.pic.twitter.com/rRpZZve0du

— Susy S (@SusyBangtan) May 23, 2017

"who are these asians and why did they win??"

"bts who? asian one direction??"

"what are these asians doing here??"

THIS IS DISRESPEC

— mara (@jackson_namjoon) May 22, 2017

According to Next Shark, one user, who has since deleted her account, also wrote thatshe couldn’t understand what BTS members were saying in their acceptance speech,despite the fact that it was done in English.

“[I don’t even know] who those Asians were. I don’t wanna know. I’m bafed,” shewrote. “I didn’t understand what they said. Award shows are so trash now.”

Buzzfeed also reports that another user wrote, “Not trying to be racist, but you don'tsee any American singer or band participating in a Korean award show so, like, BTSplease just go back to Korea.”

Billboard Music Awards 2017: Backlash Over BTS Win Proves How Racist People Can Be

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/05/23/bts-billboard-music-awards-2017_n_16768224.html[6/16/2017 10:59:35 AM]

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BTS, also known as The Bangtan Boys, has a vast fan base who call themselves the“Army.” Before the award show, the hashtag #BTSBBMAS was used over 300 milliontimes on Twitter.

“BTS was one of the frst groups to fully embrace social media and completely openthemselves up to fans,” said Flowsion Shekar, the CEO of Koreaboo, a popular websitespecializing in K-Pop news. “International fans were able to really relate to them andfeel like they truly knew the members individually.”

Despite the negative response the group received on Twitter, the “Army” is taking thehigh road and reminding the world why BTS’ win at the 2017 Billboard Music Awardsis so important.

Winning on BBMA means they just closed the barriers between asians andwesternians. BTS represents us a whole & not as a kpop group itself.

— yoongi's (@kkaebjjang0993) May 23, 2017

As bts winning Top Social Artist at bbma i hope we asians get more recognitionand respect #BTSBBMAs

— Vivi sama (@_viviwatanabe) May 23, 2017

not only did bts win the frst bbma in their genre, but they were fnally able toshow the world asians can do much more #BBMAs #BTS

— lexii (@ashftbeebo) May 22, 2017

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Billboard Music Awards 2017: Backlash Over BTS Win Proves How Racist People Can Be

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/05/23/bts-billboard-music-awards-2017_n_16768224.html[6/16/2017 10:59:35 AM]

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BTS winning a bbma is about breaking the barriers for Asians all over the world

— Angela (@angelaleeee) May 22, 2017

Super proud of @BTS_twt ,we need more cultural representation,not manyAsians and other foreign artists have this kind of attention #BBMApic.twitter.com/q0f7NGIuLL

— Bts_Infres (@BtsInfres4) May 22, 2017

Fans drove home the point that Asians are more than just their stereotypes. They canbe more than just doctors, mathematicians and the butt of a joke, and they deserve tobe represented and given respect.

BTS frst gained fame in 2013 after releasing their frst single “No More Dream.”Although they are the frst K-Pop group to win a Billboard award, they are the secondKorean artist to win at the award show after PSY, who won the Top Streaming Songaward for “Gangnam Style” in 2013.

In their acceptance speech, member Kim Nam-joon, known as “Rap Monster,” said,“We still cannot believe that we’re standing here on this stage at the Billboard MusicAwards. It is so great to see all the artists we admire, and we feel honoured to be inthis category with such great artists right in front of us.”

He then thanked fans and said, “Please, ARMY, remember what we say: Love myself,love yourself.”

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Billboard Music Awards 2017: Backlash Over BTS Win Proves How Racist People Can Be

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/05/23/bts-billboard-music-awards-2017_n_16768224.html[6/16/2017 10:59:35 AM]

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