Latest news with #KARD
Korea Herald
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
NCT Wish misses SM Town LA concert due to US visa delay
Group's agency says exact reason for visa delay remains unclear SM Entertainment's Japanese boy band NCT Wish was unable to participate in the agency's 'SMTown Live 2025' concert in Los Angeles on Saturday, local time, due to delays in the US visa approval process. 'Despite faithfully completing all necessary procedures -- including document submission and interviews -- to secure the required visa for NCT Wish's participation in the concert, the approval was unexpectedly delayed,' SM Entertainment said in a statement, Saturday. 'As a result, the group was unable to receive the visa in time and will not be able to perform on stage. We sincerely apologize to fans who had been waiting to see NCT Wish and feel deeply regretful for not being able to fulfill this promise, despite doing our utmost until the last moment,' the agency added. SM Entertainment noted that the exact reason for the delay remains unclear. SMTown Live 2025 is a global concert tour commemorating the agency's 30th anniversary. The tour began in Seoul in January and, following the Mexico City and Los Angeles concerts, is scheduled to make stops in London in June and Tokyo in August. Although rare, there have been previous instances of K-pop acts unable to enter the US due to visa issues. In February, co-ed K-pop group KARD canceled its 'New Era North America Tour due to delays in the issuance of working visas for both artists and staff. The tour was originally set to begin in Nashville on Feb. 27 and conclude in San Francisco on March 16. Despite submitting all required documentation, the group's agency DSPmedia said the approvals were not granted in time. In December 2015, girl group Oh My Girl was denied entry at Los Angeles International Airport. The group had traveled to the US for an album photoshoot but was reportedly held for over 15 hours by US Customs and Border Protection. Local media later quoted an anonymous US official who said the members were turned away after stating they had entered as tourists, despite traveling for professional purposes. To legally perform in the US, foreign entertainers must obtain performance-specific visas, such as the 'P-1' or 'O-1' category visas. The application process requires complex documentation -- including letters of invitation, performance contracts and full tour schedules -- and can be subject to increased scrutiny based on the applicant's nationality or travel history.
Express Tribune
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
KARD's BM under fire for using racial slur on TikTok Live, apology sparks debate
KARD member BM has come under fire after saying the n-word during a TikTok Live while singing along to a DMX song. The incident quickly drew criticism from fans, particularly due to BM's American upbringing and fluency in English, with many stating he should know better. Clips from the livestream circulated widely on social media, with one video showing BM reciting the controversial lyrics. Following immediate backlash, the idol returned to TikTok Live, inviting fans—especially Black viewers—to confront him directly and share how his actions made them feel. Fan reactions were divided. Some applauded BM for not issuing a generic apology and instead offering his platform to voices from the affected community. honestly, i'm hurt but also kind of proud (?) of BM for apologising so quickly and STRAIGHT to OUR COMMUNITY and even letting black fans talking on his live and everything — 合 𝒆𝒍𝒚' .☘︎ ݁˖🧃 (@chae4ely) April 8, 2025 idk if im bugging and like genuinely not even in a way to defend BM, but the way y'all were acting in that live with one of the few idols that was willingly open to listening to fans blew me just now. — Soleil (@seungnmin) April 8, 2025 Others viewed the gesture as performative, noting that BM continued to receive TikTok Live donations during the apology session. Guys u know what I realised…BM is actually getting donations for this live😭😭😭😭he could turn that off HES GETTING A BAG FOR THIS — Deans pr manager 🪐 (@thenigginjoon) April 8, 2025 Several also pointed out that BM, being from Los Angeles and raised in the United States, had no excuse. bm literally grew up in la lmao, why are y'all wasting your breath trying to educate him on not using the n-word?? — °°𝓶𝓼°°la edgehead☆⋈ (@_shownusofty) April 8, 2025 The controversy comes amid a wider wave of criticism within the K-pop industry, as several idols are being exposed for cultural appropriation and racial insensitivity. Videos of BLACKPINK members using the n-word while rapping hip-hop songs during their trainee days have resurfaced online, sparking renewed backlash. Meanwhile, members of the rookie girl group KISS OF LIFE have also been accused of appropriating Black culture through fashion and styling in recent appearances.
