Accordingly, students of the African American University system (HBCU) are reacting around BTS's animated video introducing the album Arirang depicting Howard University - a long-standing symbol of African American education and culture.
According to Korean media, the teaser recreates the setting of Washington, D.C. in the late 19th century, with images of BTS "traveling through time" and performing at Howard campus. However, many viewers pointed out that most of the students in the video are depicted as white people, which is considered not to reflect the historical reality of this school.
Founded in 1867, Howard University plays an important role in expanding educational opportunities for African Americans. The change in demographic characteristics in the teaser makes many people think that the product has "whitened" the context, overshadowing the historical value and unique cultural identity of the school.
Faced with the wave of criticism, the production team added a correction to the video. Accordingly, the teaser is inspired by a 1896 article by The Washington Post about a group of Korean students at Howard, who are said to have made one of the first recordings of the traditional Arirang song in Washington, D.C. The announcement also emphasized that this is a creative recreation, not intended to accurately reflect history.
However, many opinions believe that this explanation is not convincing enough. On forums like Reddit, many users expressed disappointment, saying that the product lacks cultural sensitivity, especially when BTS has repeatedly admitted the deep influence of black music such as R&B and hip hop.
The case once again raises questions about cultural responsibility in the global entertainment industry. As artists increasingly exploit historical and multicultural materials, ensuring accuracy and respect for the local context becomes a key factor.
