04 May,2026 02:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
G Dragon (Instagram)
Representatives of K-pop star G-Dragon have issued a formal apology after the artist sparked backlash for wearing a shirt featuring a racist slur during a recent performance.
The controversy unfolded during a live appearance at the K-Spark music festival in Macau, where the BigBang member performed in an outfit that included a long graphic T-shirt. While he wore a jacket over it, parts of the shirt remained visible, especially when he turned around on stage. Fans quickly noticed that the text printed on the back of the shirt contained a Dutch phrase that included a widely recognized anti-Black racial slur.
Images and clips from the performance rapidly spread across social media, with one viral post gaining over a million views. Many fans expressed disappointment and anger, calling for accountability and urging the singer to address the issue personally. Some commenters highlighted the importance of cultural awareness, particularly for global artists with large and diverse fanbases.
In response to the growing criticism, G-Dragon's agency, Galaxy Corporation, released a public apology. The company acknowledged the "inappropriate wording" on the outfit and admitted that the incident underscored the need for stronger cultural sensitivity. The statement emphasized that the agency would review and improve its internal processes, particularly those related to styling and content checks, to prevent similar controversies in the future.
The agency further expressed regret to fans who were hurt or offended, promising to approach all artist-related decisions with greater responsibility and awareness of global cultural differences.
Despite the apology from his representatives, G-Dragon himself has not publicly commented on the incident so far. Fans have continued to flood his social media accounts, urging him to speak directly and take responsibility.
This is not the first time the artist has faced scrutiny. In recent years, he has been involved in multiple controversies, including criticism over past creative choices and public debates surrounding his artistic concepts.
The incident has once again sparked wider conversations about cultural sensitivity in the global music industry, especially as K-pop artists continue to gain international prominence and influence.
