So, I am Korean-American. Literally. I currently hold both passports and I have lived in both countries before. Therefore, I would like to believe that my perspective on this issue is more than valid.
Now, I am not a BTS fan, however, I do truly respect them for what they are doing and what they stand for. They are the first K-Pop group to really successfully make it into the States and expand the borders of K-Pop. BTS has really made the genre universally enjoyable which is undoubtedly an amazing thing that is happening.
However. Really? Really? Is there really a debate on the whole ‘naega’ thing again? I thought this was behind us after 2NE1′s “내가 재일 잘 나가” (naega chaeil jal naga/ I Am the Best). True, BTS has truly dominated the American platform after performing the BBMAs twice and making their presence quite known on US radio stations, but seriously?
Now, I understand that there can be a misconception with the word upon first hearing. However, it’s really unfair that no one wants to even try to understand THE KOREAN PERSPECTIVE. Why? The argument stands that K-Pop because it’s coming into America, needs to abide by these so-called “American rules.”
Allow me to counter this argument with OUR CONSTITUTION of a DEMOCRATIC NATION that explicitly allows our FREEDOM of speech and expression. This does not apply to JUST the citizens of the United States because our Founding Fathers wanted this to be country to be a model for others. This was the value I was raised on and really believed in. And you restricting another person, group, or country’s success and culture, completely goes against YOUR FUNDAMENTAL VALUES.
Also, this is SOUTH KOREA. Why would Koreans have a reason to say the “n-word” without understanding it first? To be more American? That is actually such an offensive point that makes me think that this “colonizer” mindset is still prevalent in our world today.
People are going to stay that I am “butthurt” about this whole situation and that I among other K-Pop fans and Koreans should just relax. First of all, please expand your vocabulary and NO. I refuse to have my culture and my language slandered because someone cannot understand that the world is a multi-faceted place where all perspectives need to be considered and respected. I also refuse to change a language that has existed for hundreds of years just because one country thinks that the grammatical term for ‘me, myself, and I’ is interchangeable with a derogatory word for African-American people.
Why doesn’t everybody find this ridiculous?
I understand why this happened and that these radio stations and the BBMAs were trying to uphold their values. I just hope that everyone takes this a learning lesson to do their research; not to judge when they do not understand something; and also to be flexible. It’s important to be aware of the world and not to be stuck in a bubble. This is why the internet is such a phenomenon because we can now experience in our own homes different cultures and worlds. So use that to your advantage and not your own downfall.