Chinese social media users attack BTS' RM over apparent support of Korean skater

RM, leader of K-pop boy group BTS / Korea Times file

By Dong Sun-hwa

Some Chinese internet users are bombarding K-pop juggernaut BTS' Instagram with malicious comments, after the group's frontman RM showed his apparent support for Korean short tracker Hwang Dae-heon, who was disqualified from the men's 1,000m semifinals during the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, Monday.

RM posted an Instagram story video showing Korean skater Hwang Dae-heon overtaking two Chinese skaters. Capture from RM's Instagram

RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, shared an Instagram story video on his personal account showing Hwang overtaking two Chinese skaters ― Ren Ziwei and Li Wenlong ― during the race that took place at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing.

The K-pop star did not add any comments to the video, but used clapping and thumbs-up emojis in an apparent show of support for Hwang, who did not advance to the final even after crossing the finish line in first place because he was penalized for an “illegal late pass causing contact.” Following Hwang's disqualification ― which most Koreans see as questionable officiating ― Ren and Li, who came second and third respectively, went into the final where the host country ultimately took the gold and silver medals.

Nevertheless, RM's social media activity has drawn anger from numerous Chinese people, triggering them to post a slew of negative comments on BTS's Instagram account.

They could not attack him on his personal Instagram account, as RM only allowed people he follows to leave comments.

Some Chinese online users left negative comments on BTS's Instagram after its leader RM posted an Instagram story video featuring Korean skater Hwang Dae-heon. Capture from BTS's Instagram

Using vomiting emojis, these internet users have been criticizing the rapper and demanding an apology for “denying the referee's decision.” Some of them are even insulting his looks.

But BTS fans are fighting back to protect RM from cyberbullying. A legion of fans are now “purifying” the group's Instagram by sharing purple heart emojis ― the symbols that the seven-piece act and its followers frequently use to express their love.

Meanwhile, the Korean Sport Olympic Committee (KSOC) said Tuesday that it is planning to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the top international sports tribunal, over the unfair officiating. Along with Hwang, the 1,000m world record holder, another Korean skater Lee June-seo, was also disqualified in the semifinals for a “lane change that caused contact.”