The Yomiuri Shimbun went on to report on the current popularity of K-pop bands such as Twice and BTS. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Along with the recent cancellation of a Japanese TV appearance by K-pop superstars BTS, a series of negative press reports on K-pop singers have been published in Japanese media outlets.
And following a large-scale anti-Korea rally held in central Tokyo hosted by right-wing activists, critics have expressed worry that recent developments may lead to further anti-Korea sentiment throughout Japan.
The Yomiuri Shimbun, a leading Japanese daily newspaper, published a report titled “K-pop Fraud” yesterday on its society page.
The article went on to report on victims who have been ripped off by the promise of obtaining K-pop concert tickets via social media accounts.
The newspaper stated that a group of Korean scam artists may be involved, and that Korean law enforcement agencies were moving to crack down on those suspected of committing such crimes.
The Yomiuri Shimbun went on to report on the current popularity of K-pop bands such as Twice and BTS.
“According to the Korea National Police Agency,” reported the newspaper, “approximately 110 police reports were filed regarding ticket fraud when BTS held a concert in Seoul in August.”
The members of BTS are currently in Japan for a concert at the Tokyo Dome.
Yesterday, NHK, Japan’s national public TV broadcasting station reported that the scheduled appearance of BTS on an NHK program had been postponed after it was discovered that a BTS member had worn a T-shirt that featured a depiction of an atomic bomb, triggering fury among the Japanese population.
Meanwhile, Sponichi Annex, a daily sports newspaper, reported on Monday that NHK was faced with a difficult decision on whether to have the girl band Twice appear on NHK’s popular year-end program Kohaku Uta Gassen.
“The same as last year,” reported Sponichi Annex, “Twice was set on appearing on Kohaku Uta Gassen this year but Korea’s recent court ruling on forced labor victims has ignited prudence on the matter.”
Since NHK is publicly funded, it is impossible to ignore public sentiment regarding the controversy. The finalized roster of celebrities to appear on Kohaku Uta Gassen will be revealed this month.
H. S. Seo (hsseo@koreabizwire.com)
