BTS: Chinese officials deny blocking the import of the South Korean boy band’s merchandise to China

BTS got involved in a controversy not long ago. It all started when the South Korean idol group gave a short speech as the South Koreans and Americans commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean war this year. The Chinese were offended when the group’s leader, RM, said that they will not forget that history.

BTS’ trouble with the Chinese citizens

BTS was prompted to give a small speech after a US-based organization gave them an award for their contribution to the US and South Korean relations. While this was a pleasant event, the Chinese people somehow felt insulted.

"We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together and the sacrifices of countless men and women," RM said. With this, the China-state run newspaper the Global Times published a response with regards to how most people in China felt.

"Chinese netizens said the band's totally one-sided attitude to the Korean War hurts their feelings and negates history." This is because, for them, many Chinese soldiers also lost their lives and sacrificed for their home country.

BTS goods going to Chine were blocked

Now, in connection with the controversy, it was reported that the Chinese started to block BTS merchandise from being shipped to their country. The goods were said to have been banned and in a recent investigation carried out by South Korea’s JTBC News, it was said that it is true the goods and products were put on hold.

As per Koreaboo, JTBC interviewed people in warehouses and Chinese delivery service companies and they were able to confirm that BTS goods were prohibited from entering China.

The report was backed up with photos of the idol group’s merchandise and other items stacked up in warehouses and not delivered.

But then again, CTGN News reported that China’s Foreign Ministry denied the claims that they banned BTS goods from being imported to China. Zhao Lijian, the ministry’s spokesperson, said that the Chinese government does not have any policy that can ban delivery services from delivering BTS products.

The Chinese embassy in South Korea also refuted the reports that there is an issue regarding the shipments of BTS items to China. The officials firmly stated that the customs in China did not block the said merchandise.