BTS’s ‘Arirang’ Trailer Sparks Controversy Over Whitewashing of Howard University’s History

An animated trailer promoting BTS’s fifth studio album “Arirang” has drawn criticism for its depiction of Howard University, a historically Black institution, with a predominantly white-appearing campus. The trailer, released on March 13, 2026, draws on the historical story of seven Korean students who enrolled at Howard in 1896 and made the first known audio recordings of Korean voices in the United States, including a rendition of “Arirang.”

Historical Context: Korean Students at Howard University

In 1896, seven Korean students sought education at Howard University during a period of political upheaval in their country and when many U.S. Universities were inaccessible to international students. Upon arrival, they captivated the Howard community with a singing performance, as reported in the Howard University news outlet, The Dig. Three of the students – Ahn Jeong-Sik, Lee Hee-Cheol, and Son Rong – were invited to record songs on wax cylinders, including “Arirang,” marking the first known recording of a Korean voice in the U.S. And the first recording of the song globally. This recording is now preserved at the Library of Congress as a seminal piece of American and world history.

The Controversy: Representation in the ‘Arirang’ Trailer

The BTS trailer reimagines the seven band members in place of the historical Korean students, performing on Howard’s campus. However, critics have pointed out that the audience depicted in the animated video is overwhelmingly white, a stark contrast to Howard University’s history and current demographics. Founded in 1867 to educate Black Americans during segregation, Howard University currently has a student body that is 67% Black according to The Dig.

This discrepancy led to accusations of “whitewashing” across social media platforms, including Reddit, X, and Instagram as reported by Tigers Roar. Users expressed concerns about a pattern of K-pop borrowing from Black musical genres while simultaneously marginalizing Black audiences and history.

Responses and Disclaimers

Howard University acknowledged the historical significance of the Korean students’ story but similarly noted the video’s representational shortcomings. The Dig stated that while the video “properly acknowledges Howard’s role in educating the students who would make history,” it contains “inaccuracies” in depicting the audience as largely non-Black . A Howard spokesperson emphasized the university’s identity as “a leading historically Black university” and its commitment to diversity as reported by Inside Higher Ed.

BTS and HYBE have released a disclaimer included in the video, stating, “This production may deviate from actual historical events and does not serve as a formal evaluation or interpretation of any historical event or person.” Inside Higher Ed reports that some fans have defended the video by pointing out that Howard had white faculty and a white president during its early years.

Broader Implications and Cultural Sensitivity

The controversy highlights a broader discussion about cultural sensitivity and historical accuracy in artistic representations. As one Howard University alum and K-pop fan told theGrio, the incident reflects “a bit of an arm’s-length appreciation of our culture rather than a full-on embrace” . Alexander McSwain, an associate professor at Howard University, suggested that even imperfect historical portrayals can spark deeper understanding, as art is inherently a conversation .

BTS’s “Arirang” album, released on March 22, 2026, debuted with strong streaming numbers. The group performed a comeback concert in Seoul on March 21 and will embark on an 82-show world tour in April according to Forbes.