K-pop fans in South Korea have expressed outrage over a segment on Channel Nine's '20 to One' that mocked the Korean boy band BTS, with the hashtag '#Channel9Racist' trending on Twitter in the country.
The segment, which aired on Wednesday night, featured host Erin Molan introducing BTS as 'the biggest band you've never heard of' and included jokes about North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Comedian Jimmy Carr said, 'When I first heard something Korean had exploded in America, I got worried... it could've been worse - but not much worse.'
Fans took to social media to demand an apology. One wrote: 'We need a sincere apology.' Another stated: 'If your idea of humour is demeaning an artist's career... then you have failed pathetically. You should be ashamed.'
Channel Nine defended the segment as 'light-hearted entertainment' and apologised to anyone offended. Former Australian Idol star Rob Mills, who also mocked the group's singing, later apologised via Instagram.
