Amid BLACKPINK's 'n-word' drama & Kiss of Life's cultural appropriation¡ªA look at BTS RM's past apology

In the highly scrutinized world of K-pop, even minor missteps can spark major backlash. Idols are held to strict standards, and despite their global success, many groups have faced intense scrutiny. Recently, BLACKPINK and Kiss of Life became the center of controversy, highlighting how K-pop idols continue to face criticism¡ªeven for actions from their trainee days.

BLACKPINK's Jennie, Ros¨¦, and Lisa are under fire after leaked pre-debut videos allegedly showed them using the "N-word." The footage, shared by a supposed former YG Entertainment staffer, quickly went viral, sparking criticism from fans who questioned the group's training and awareness.

Update:
Jennie (6) now ties with Lisa (6) as Blackpink member with most N word count
pic.twitter.com/qq4rTo5UrY https://t.co/t7rdz67GWD

¡ª Flop Kpop (@TheFlopKpop) March 31, 2025

Meanwhile, Kiss of Life faced accusations of cultural appropriation after their "old-school hip-hop" themed birthday livestream for Julie went viral. Their styling¡ªfeaturing cornrows, Bantu knots, and gold chains¡ªsparked backlash from global fans who called it racially insensitive. The controversy was further amplified as fans recalled Julie's past, noting that she had previously apologized in 2023 for using the "N-word."

¡° it was her bday theme¡± like is the theme for kpop this week just cosplay/stereotype black people? pic.twitter.com/dCH2zWHqZP

¡ª nana???? (@luvr8hao) April 2, 2025

Fan wars emerge

As these two controversies became the biggest talking points in the K-pop world, fans began digging up old photos and videos of other idols to deflect criticism from their favorite artists. From BigBang to BTS leader RM, many were dragged into the debate.

However, BTS fans, known as ARMY, were quick to point out that BTS' RM had already acknowledged and apologized for his past mistakes. Amid the ongoing back-and-forth between fandoms, an old video of RM, also known as Kim Namjoon, resurfaced, in which he publicly took responsibility for his actions and promised to do better.

"he started all of this" no he didn't. but what he did started is accepting his mistakes, apologising and never repeating them again but there's no other idol who did this.
Changing whole lyric of a song just because it sounds same to N word,which one of your kpop idol did this? https://t.co/Z7H5udJJ63 pic.twitter.com/oZh3FmOQEJ

¡ª Liza974 (@liza972004) April 3, 2025

What did BTS RM say?

According to ARMY, RM accepted his past mistakes, apologized, and never repeated them. In a past Vlive broadcast, he reflected on his growth, stating: "I never thought that my behavior, music, or words could hurt others or cause inconvenience. But as I went through 2016, I realized that my words or actions, regardless of my intentions, could cause harm or discomfort to others. I learned that I need to take responsibility for that."

He continued: "What I said or did cannot be undone, and admitting my mistakes was difficult. It took a long time for me to accept that I had hurt others. I didn¡¯t like admitting that I was wrong, but I now ask myself: ¡®Did my actions make others uncomfortable? Why are they criticizing me?¡¯"

RM further emphasized his commitment to personal growth, saying: "To be a better person, I need to take responsibility for my actions. If my way of thinking is wrong, I need to change it. I¡¯ve learned to listen to others, and before I act, I now consider how people might feel about my words and actions."

Cultural appropriation in K-Pop

Racism and cultural appropriation in K-pop remain hotly debated topics, fueling discussions for years. For idols raised in a racially homogenous society, understanding cultural appropriation can be challenging. However, with their fanbases spanning the globe, it shouldn't be difficult for them to learn what is right and wrong.

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