Image: WJLA

BTS Arirang Album Ignites Debate Over Howard University's Portrayal

18 March, 2026.USA.6 sources

Key Takeaways

BTS Arirang teaser features Howard University, prompting backlash over alleged whitewashing and underrepresentation.
The controversy centers on seven Korean students' 1896 recording at Howard.
Reactions are mixed online, with criticism of depiction and some contextual explanations highlighting historical links.

Historic Korean Students at Howard

BTS released an animated teaser for their album Arirang.

“Howard Universityis sparking a heated debate afterBTSfeatured the historic Black college in their controversialArirangteaser”

Art Threat

It referenced seven Korean students who studied at Howard in 1896.

Forbes

They made the first known audio recordings of Korean voices in the US.

Howard is a historically Black university that became an unlikely destination for international students of color.

Visual Backlash and Representation

The teaser sparked backlash over representation.

Critics claimed it whitewashed Howard's campus.

Social media comments called it disrespectful and distasteful.

BigHit Music described it as an attempt to introduce the cultural background of Arirang.

Historical Context and Legacy

The seven Koreans were sons of noble families who ran out of funds.

“arrow-down comments printer search bell top-nav right-arrow left-arrow arrow-down Advertisement How Seven Korean Students in 1896 Recorded The First _Arirang_ , And Inspired BTS And now, with BTS returning to it on a global stage, the song's journey - from a phonograph in Washington in 1896 to stadiums in the 21st century - continues Read Time: 8 mins Share”