The issue of anti-Asian racism extends beyond the vulnerable and marginalized; it affects everyone, including the globally renowned K-pop group BTS. Despite being one of the most famous Asian acts in the world, the band is not exempt from discrimination.
On February 24, 2021, German radio host Matthias Matuschik made disparaging comments, likening BTS members to the coronavirus and suggesting they needed to be “vaccinated” out of existence. He further implied that the band should be punished by “vacationing in North Korea for the next 20 years,” dismissing his offensive remarks by claiming his ownership of a Korean car somehow absolved him of any wrongdoing.
This kind of humor is troubling and reflects a deeply ingrained racism. Matuschik’s comments were made in response to BTS’s cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You” during their “MTV Unplugged” performance. A professional broadcaster from a public station should be held to a higher standard, yet he chose to dehumanize a group of artists simply because he disagreed with their interpretation of a song he liked.
Surprisingly, one would expect Germany, with its awareness of its own fascist history, to respond more sensitively to such incidents. Research associate Sung Un Gang from the University of Bonn noted that while there are efforts to educate about the Nazi past, many believe they cannot be racist towards other ethnic groups.
German BTS fan, Mia Schmidt, expressed that this incident has united German fans and activists in a way that highlights the need for greater recognition of anti-Asian sentiment. In response to the backlash, Bayern 3 and Matuschik issued a half-hearted apology, framing it as an ironic remark that simply went too far, rather than addressing the underlying racism.
Journalist and speaker Nhi Le criticized this typical pattern in German media, where apologies focus more on hurt feelings than on acknowledging the racist statements themselves. The media’s response revealed a troubling tendency to dismiss the significance of such incidents, choosing instead to portray fans as overly sensitive.
The rise in anti-Asian violence during the pandemic has been alarming, with personal accounts of harassment and discrimination emerging. Musicologist Thea Suh pointed out that the media’s lack of understanding regarding anti-Asian racism in Germany is disheartening, noting that even the comments made by influential figures like Matuschik perpetuate the notion that Asian-Germans are not seen as fully human.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted a surge in hate and xenophobia against the Asian diaspora, urging governments to fortify societal resilience against such prejudices. However, many Asian advocacy organizations in Germany feel unsupported, as they lack backing from white journalists and politicians.
While the U.S. media has started to engage with Asian-American perspectives, German media has largely neglected to feature voices from Asian-German authors. This lack of representation is emblematic of a broader culture of apathy towards racism in Germany.
It’s crucial for all of us to recognize that if even global icons like BTS can be subjected to othering and dehumanization, then many others are likely experiencing similar injustices. The fight against anti-Asian racism must transcend borders, as we collectively affirm the humanity and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their background.
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