A Japanese television station reportedly canceled a performance by the widely popular Korean idol group BTS, after controversy erupted over a shirt worn by a member with mushroom cloud created by an atomic bomb in it.
The international superstars were supposed to perform on Friday but the station abruptly canceled the show when one of the members, Jimin was photographed with the shirt and went viral.
"BTS's appearance scheduled for the 9th has been canceled," TV Asahi said in a statement, as per a report on November 8.
"The T-shirt that one of the members wore made headlines and became controversial," the station added, saying it had discussed the "intention" behind the shirt with the band's record label and ultimately decided to "cancel their appearance."
BTS also issued their own statement but gave no specific details as to why the show had to be postponed.
"We apologize for disappointing fans who were looking forward to this. BTS will continue their efforts to connect with fans on stage and also through music," their entertainment agency, Big Hit said on their behalf as posted on their website.
The said offending shirt features the phrase "Patriotism our history liberation Korea" repeated multiple times alongside the image of an atomic bomb explosion and another image of Koreans celebrating liberation.
BTS' member Jimin reportedly wore the shirt last year on August, when Koreans celebrate the end of Japanese occupation in 1945.
