K-pop's BTS issue statement on #StopAsianHate movement: 'We were mocked for the way we look'

The popular boy band from South Korea have shared how racism has affected them

Fans of K-pop band BTS, known as BTS Army, have helped raise funds for Covid-19 relief in India. AP

K-pop superstars BTS have issued a statement on the #StopAsianHate movement that has spawned as a result of a growing number of violent attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the US. The seven-member group posted a letter, in English and Korean, to Twitter to express their support for the campaign.

“We send our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones,” the statement begins.

“We feel grief and anger. We recall moments when we faced discrimination as Asians. We have endured expletives without reason and were mocked for the way we look. We were even asked why Asians spoke in English.”

The group also discusses how those experiences have affected their self-esteem.

“We cannot put into words the pain of becoming the subject of hatred and violence for such a reason. Our own experiences are inconsequential compared to the events that have occurred over the past few weeks. But these experiences were enough to make us feel powerless and chip away our self-esteem. What is happening right now cannot be dissociated from our identity as Asians.”

While they also admit it took “considerable time” to decide exactly how to respond to what was happening, they end the letter with a statement of unity. “We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.”

Here's a look at their full statement: 

In February, a radio host in Germany came under fire with accusations of racism for comparing the boy band to the coronavirus.

Host Matthias Matuschik derided the group's cover version of Fix You as "blasphemy" and compared the band to Covid-19, describing them as "some [expletive] virus that hopefully there will be a vaccine for soon as well."

While he issued an apology, he did not lose his job because of the incident.

Over the past few months, a number of celebrities have spoken up about their support for the Asian community. Killing Eve actress Sandra Oh attended a protest in Pittsburgh, US and gave a passionate speech, in which she said she was "proud to be Asian".

Actress Olivia Munn has repeatedly spoke out against anti-Asian rhetoric on social media, while The Daily Show host Trevor Noah has also brought attention to the movement through segments on his show.