BTS performance cancelled due to controversial T-shirt

A Japanese television station has cancelled a BTS performance due to an atomic bomb T-shirt. The K-Pop boyband was scheduled to perform on TV Asahi today, however their appearance was scrapped as a photo of band member Jimin went viral.

The photo shows the band member wearing a top depicting the US bombing of Japan with the slogan "Patriotism Our History Liberation Korea" written repeatedly.

It has been reported that Jimin wore the T-shirt on 15 August for Korea's Liberation Day to celebrate the end to Japan's occupation in 1945. The controversial top in question is still available online.

#BTS atomic bomb T-shirt

BTS JIMIN recommends nuclear war!
He goes against world peace! pic.twitter.com/RXNUnr2w7I

— E233 (@haDG94PD0ztNE6d) November 9, 2018

"A T-shirt design worn by one of the members caused controversy... we had been discussing it with the record label. However, we decided to postpone their appearance this time," explained the station.

Many Japanese BTS fans were outraged by the station's decision, calling it an "insult". BTS apologised to their disappointed fans on the Official BTS Fan Club saying "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."

International phenomenon BTS made history as the first K-Pop group to break the US charts. The boyband recently gave a speech to the UN encouraging fans to love themselves, in partnership with UNICEF. Watch the full speech below.