BTS member V is facing criticism on social media after a recent TikTok video prompted accusations of cultural appropriation and renewed debate over how K-pop artists engage with Black culture.
Unique Nicole/Getty Images
As per Koreaboo, V shared the video on TikTok before it was reposted Aug. 24 by the X account @TheePopCore, which captioned the post, “Taehyung looks insanely cool and fine in a new video.” While some users praised the singer’s appearance, others mocked his mannerisms and called the performance awkward or “cringy.”
Other commenters accused V of trying to imitate Black behavior and argued that Korean artists have benefited from Black culture while failing to show adequate respect toward Black people. Some users compared the criticism with past backlash involving other K-pop artists.
The comments reflect individual reactions on social media and do not indicate a broader consensus. V and his agency had not publicly responded to the criticism as of today.
Read more: BTS Rule a Dark Dystopian World in Fierce New ‘Hooligan’ Music Video
The controversy comes as V continues to receive international attention for his music and fashion work.
In an August 18 report, StarNews reported that V stood out as a vocalist on BTS’ “ARIRANG” album. The report cited Vogue‘s U.S. edition, which praised his vocal part in “NORMAL,” particularly the line, “Got me feelin’ things unusual.” The outlet also reported that The New York Times described V’s voice as the most passionate and powerful among BTS’ vocalists.
The report additionally cited singer Lea Salonga, who praised V’s warm tone and ability to sing high notes. The article noted that the comments highlighted qualities beyond technical skill.
V’s influence in fashion has also expanded. WWD reported on August 10 that Champion signed him as a global partner for its fall “True Champion” campaign. He is set to appear in the campaign alongside figures including Romeo Beckham, Sofi Tukker and Kyle Kuzma.
Champion’s owner, Authentic Brands Group, cited V’s creative vision, global influence and connection with fans as reasons for the partnership. The campaign is scheduled to launch globally on August 31.
The outlet also reported that V has more than 76 million Instagram followers and that his 2023 solo album, “Layover”, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The publication described him as a figure with influence across music, fashion and art.
READ MORE: Champion Names BTS V As Global Brand Ambassador For The New Fall And Winter Campaign