The T-shirt in question was worn by Jimin, and it bears images of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II, as well as slogans heralding Korea’s liberation from the Japanese. The 23-year-old K-popster had reportedly donned the tee last August on the National Liberation Day of Korea, which marks the anniversary of the end of the Japanese occupation in WWII.  

BTS has since issued an apology for the cancellation of their appearance on Music Station, skipping any references to the T-shirt. “We apologise for disappointing fans who were looking forward to this. BTS will continue their efforts to connect with fans on stage and also through music,” they said via a statement.

Other Japanese TV stations like Fuji and NHK have also announced that they would either drop or reconsider any BTS appearances on their year-end music shows, which you can imagine only sparked a furore among BTS’ strong fanbase. The K-erfuffle hasn’t affected the boyband’s standings on Japanese music charts, with the group’s latest hit ‘Fake Love/Airplane Pt. 2’ occupying top spot. Fans around the world have also been rallying behind their K-idols. “What's happening with Japan is beyond our control right now. It's unfortunate the boys won't be able to perform on Music Station, but all we can do is support them by continuing to stream and buy their music and sending them our love and positive energy,” tweeted one fan.

It had been reported that the T-shirt, made by Korean fashion brand ourhistory, was sold out. But a quick check today shows that there are still pieces available. The designer of the T-shirt has told the media that it was not his intention to stir controversy with this design. “We created it because we felt young people might have an interest in history if we included a sense of history in fashion targeting young people,” he said. "We had no intention of stirring up anti-Japanese sentiment or using it to retaliate against Japan.”

This controversy comes just weeks after BTS topped Time Magazine’s annual Next Generation Leaders list, and were the first K-popsters to earn bragging rights to grace the cover of the publication. "Many in our parents' generation were born right after the Korean War," Suga told the magazine. "And so they grew up not being able to eat or dress well. But in our generation, we — our parents' sons — are spreading Korean culture as its representatives.”

The boys hung out with Taylor Swift backstage at the Billboard Music Awards, where BTS has swept the Top Social Artist award for not one, but two consecutive years.