A teaser for BTS’s upcoming album 'Arirang' is facing criticism over its depiction of Howard University, a historically Black college in the United States.
According to U.S. media outlet Black Enterprise, Black K pop fans and members of the HBCU community have raised concerns that the animated teaser portrays the university in a way that appears racially insensitive.
Amid the growing backlash, a disclaimer was later added to the video. It explains that the work was inspired by an 1896 article from The Washington Post about seven young Koreans at Howard University, some of whom recorded what is believed to be the first audio of Koreans in Washington, D.C., including an early recording of “Arirang.” The note also clarifies that the production is a modern reinterpretation that may differ from historical facts and is not intended as a formal representation of real events or figures.
In the teaser, BTS is shown time traveling to 19th century Washington, D.C., where they perform at Howard University. However, many of the surrounding students are depicted as white, which critics argue misrepresents the institution’s historical and cultural identity.
Founded in 1867 to expand educational opportunities for Black Americans, Howard University has long been a central institution in Black history and civil rights. It remains widely recognized as a leading historically Black university, with a majority Black student population.
While the teaser draws from historical inspiration, critics say the execution overlooks the school’s legacy. Some have accused the video of “whitewashing,” arguing that it fails to properly reflect the contributions and experiences of Black students.
Online discussions, including posts on Reddit, have also expressed disappointment, with some users calling the portrayal “disrespectful” and stating that an important historical context was overshadowed by album promotion.
The criticism has been further amplified by the fact that BTS has often acknowledged the influence of Black music, such as R&B and hip hop, on their work—leading some to question the sensitivity of the creative direction in this case.
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