A Jewish human rights group said South Korea's boyband BTS should apologize to Japanese people, as well as Nazi victims for posing in a photo shoot featuring a hat with a Nazi-style symbol. The Simon Wiesenthal Center wrote a statement on their website, alleging the K-pop band's hat displayed the Death's-Head symbol of the SS.
The human rights group's statement links a Reddit page showing BTS member RM wearing a camouflage hat with the infamous symbol apparently sewn onto its peak, CNN reported. The statement also cited one of the concerts of the boyband waving large flags on stage - "eerily similar" to Nazi swastikas.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the center's associate dean and director of global social action, said BTS owed the Japanese people and Nazi victims an apology. The seven members of the band, as well as their management, should publicly apologize too.
BTS appearance on a Japanese TV last Friday has also been canceled after member, Jimin, wore a T-shirt with the phrase "PATRIOTISM OUR HISTORY LIBERATION KOREA," which seemingly celebrating the atomic bombing of the Japanese city of Nagasaki.
However, it wasn't clear when was the alleged photo of Jimin was taken, although local news outlet claims it was taken back in 2013. Fans also defended the boyband on social media, saying RM's picture wearing a camouflage hat might be photoshopped, but it wasn't sure either if the image was indeed doctored.
Meanwhile, BTS' management, Big Hit Entertainment, released a detailed statement on Wednesday to address the issues regarding the hat with a Nazi-style symbol and the T-shirt depicting atomic bomb explosion. The management offered its sincere apology as the choice of clothing of the group caused pain and distress to anyone affected.
Big Hit said it bears all the responsibilities for not making necessary actions and not providing careful supports to the boyband as they may have prevented such issues. The management made it clear that wearing the A-bomb shirt wasn't intentional and it was not designed "injure or make light of those affected by the use of atomic weapons."
Their statement also noted that they have already contacted the Simon Wiesenthal Center and associations in Japan and Korea that represent those who are affected by the atomic bombings. Japan is the only nation that had experienced a nuclear attack after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing the death of approximately 200,000-plus people at the end of WWII.
