Fans of BTS are demanding an apology after a news host made a controversial comment while discussing the group’s upcoming Oreo collaboration on live television.
In mid-May, an American fan shared online that she had spotted BTS-themed Oreos at a local store. Soon after, it was confirmed that the product was part of an official collaboration between BTS and Oreo.
The limited-edition Oreo x BTS cookies are set to launch on June 8. The special release will include messages from BTS members and feature a unique hotteok-inspired flavor, based on the popular Korean sweet pancake.
The collaboration quickly gained attention online and in traditional media due to BTS’s global popularity.
One local news broadcast, however, is now facing backlash over how it covered the story.
FOX34, a local FOX-affiliated station in Lubbock, Texas, featured the Oreo x BTS collaboration as part of its trending news segment. The report appeared normal at first, with hosts discussing the special cookies and mentioning that the package included 13 messages from the group.
However, near the end of the segment, one of the hosts reportedly made a joke, saying the messages spelled out “Death To America.”
The comment quickly sparked outrage among BTS fans. The phrase has historically been used as a political protest slogan against American imperialism and has also been linked to extremist groups, making many viewers view the joke as offensive and inappropriate.
Fans criticized the remark online, calling it racist and disrespectful toward BTS and Korean culture. Many have demanded a public apology, while some have called for action to be taken against the host.
The host was identified by viewers as James Eppler, who also works as a professor at Texas Tech University. As criticism continues to grow online, fans are waiting to see whether the station or the host will respond to the controversy.
