New York Times Podcast Faces Backlash for Racism and Xenophobia Comments On BTS and Jungkook

In a recent episode titled "Jung Kook, BTS and English Language K-Pop," the New York Times Popcast is under fire for alleged racism and xenophobia by BTS's devoted fan base, ARMY. Hosted by Jon Caramanica and guest Kara from the controversial Idolcast podcast, the discussion on K-pop's American evolution took a turn, sparking outrage.

Kara, who refused to disclose her last name due to concerns about ARMY reactions, prompted listeners to label the episode a "conversation between an anti and an ex-ARMY." The podcasters defended their opinions, asserting their right to express views as adults.

https://twitter.com/AshHamarowicz/status/1731294158306840920

Criticism escalated when the podcast commended certain K-pop styles while singling out BTS, particularly their English releases. BTS's Jungkook and his recent solo debut album, GOLDEN, faced disapproval for its Western pop influence and English lyrics. Kara controversially stated, "It's an American album with a Korean face on it basically," likening Jungkook's sound to Justin Timberlake.

ARMYs, shocked and appalled, denounced the remarks as close-minded and xenophobic. Kara, unresponsive to criticism, blocked ARMYs on social media. 

https://twitter.com/Jungkooknesia/status/1731449401196138669/history

https://twitter.com/Daily_JKUpdate/status/1731429520094515503

Despite the backlash, the podcast episode remains live, labelled as the "Most shared" on Spotify. ARMYs are demanding an apology, yet the New York Times has yet to respond to the controversy. The incident raises questions about responsible journalism and cultural sensitivity in media discourse. 

https://twitter.com/DeliaMary/status/1731525342144131569

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