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| ▲ The Sebitseom islands in southern Seoul glow red in this photo provided by the Seoul metropolitan government. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ A promotional image for BTS' upcoming studio album, "Arirang," provided by BigHit Music (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Hybe-red color
Hybe denies speculation of political motive behind BTS' red-themed comeback events
By Shim Sun-ah
SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Hybe, the K-pop giant behind K-pop supergroup BTS, has dismissed speculation that a plan by the Seoul metropolitan government to illuminate major landmarks in red for the group's long-awaited comeback is politically motivated.
The city government recently announced it would light 15 landmarks, including N Seoul Tower on Mount Nam, Lotte World Tower, the Sebitseom islands and Cheonggye Stream, in red on Friday and Saturday nights to celebrate the return of BTS.
The decision prompted some fans and internet users to speculate that the move was intended to promote a specific political party ahead of the June local elections, as red is the symbolic color of the main opposition People Power Party, to which Mayor Oh Se-hoon belongs.
"The red color theme was chosen to reflect the key visual identity of BTS' upcoming album 'Arirang,'" Hybe said in a statement Wednesday. "The Seoul city government is using the color at our request."
The agency also urged the public not to excessively interpret mass cultural events through a political perspective.
The statement came after a flood of online posts emerged earlier in the day from BTS' global fandom, ARMY, criticizing the city's decision.
Some fans took to social media with hashtags such as #BTSisPurple to emphasize its long-standing symbolic color.
Major landmarks in cities where BTS travels to perform, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building, have typically been illuminated in purple to welcome it, they noted.
"Arirang," the fifth studio album from the band, is set to drop at 1 p.m. Friday. It marks the first project involving all members in three years and nine months.
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