
With the recent COVID19 pandemic bringing hate crimes against Asians across the globe, there has been another controversy in which the globally popular Korean music act, BTS, was targeted as a subject of ridicule and mockery by an American company that manufactures collectibles.
Topps has been known to produce collectible cards and stickers but has recently been under fire for their depiction of the global K-pop group BTS. BTS has set another record by being nominated at the 63rd Grammy Awards and also performing solo for the event. However, unfortunately, they were not able to take home the trophy for 'Best Duo/ Group Performance.'
This led the Topps company to create an illustration in which seven Asian boys are being beaten with the Grammy trophy in a 'whack-a-mole' game. The seven boys are bruised and cut as they look up at the trophy in horror. The illustration is titled "Bopping K-pop."
In light of recent heartbreaking events of hate crimes towards Asians, @Topps released a drawing of 875 bruised & battered. Not only is this insensitive but further fueling hate & violence towards the Asian community. This cannot be tolerated. Email template⬇️#RacismIsNotComedy pic.twitter.com/AiYI9u6BAY
— ㄱ노미팬달콤뀨(slow) (@lovemazejikook) March 17, 2021
#RacismIsNotComedy@Topps apologize!! And remove that cover! In this kind of situation when we asians are getting killed you are literally doing something so stupid and so disgusting thing!Regret it now!.its not only about BTS but the whole asian community!delete it rn! Speed up! pic.twitter.com/WVnpUgIgZy
— bts.army.77777777 (@bangtan75495781) March 17, 2021
With more Asian hate crimes on the rise, the Asian community, as well as the K-pop fan community, banded together to protest against the company for their implausible actions.
Soon, many netizens gathered to social media outlets such as Twitter to send out their message using the hashtag, #RacismIsNotComedy. Angry BTS fans also banded together to request the product to be removed.
Soon Topps tweeted a message explaining that the product will not be manufactured and that it has been removed from their website. However, this was not enough to alleviate the anger of the Asian community, nor the K-pop fan community, as the company has not apologized for their actions.
— Topps (@Topps) March 17, 2021
— emily⁷ (@turnofphase) March 17, 2021
Not enough. We want, we need a proper apology. It took you almost half a day to write these freaking sentences? And how come the process of making the product was done without any objection that it was encouraging violence and discrimination? The damage has already been done.
— dee ☕🌻 (@logmyg) March 17, 2021
Ah yes, the typical "sorry you're offended" apology. Please do point out where you did wrong and acknowledge it properly. I believe there are many that said that it goes beyond fandom, that we're not merely mad because you included it, it's racism you're endorsing by doing so.
— alex⁷ (@iIlejeons) March 17, 2021
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