Halsey, Lauv, Max show support for BTS amid racist remarks by German radio host

American singers Halsey, Lauv, and Max expressed their support for BTS after the group became the target of racist remarks by a German radio host.

Following BTS’s performance on “MTV Unplugged,” Bayern 3’s Matthias Matuschik likened the South Korean group to the COVID-19 virus which needed to be eradicated by a vaccine.

The incident immediately went viral, with many people slamming Matuschik for disrespecting not only BTS, but also the entire Asian community.

The host and his radio station later issued their respective apologies, saying he was just annoyed by BTS’s version of Coldplay’s “Fix You” and was trying to be funny.

“Racism and xenophobia cannot be thinly veiled as ‘on air humor.’ Irresponsible and disgusting statements in a time where hate speech and violent behavior towards Asian communities are skyrocketing,” Halsey wrote in an Instagram story.

“This is unacceptable. I hope a better apology to BTS, and the Asian communities across the world, is on its way,” said the “Without Me” singer.

Lauv also stood by his “BTS brothers and everyone continuously [affected] by racist remarks as hurtful as what we heard on Bayern 3.”

standing by my @bts_bighit brothers and everyone continuously effected by racist remarks as hurtful as what we heard on Bayern 3. no one should have to endure this and together we must stand up and stop it

— lauv (@lauvsongs) February 26, 2021

The “I Like Me Better” singer added: “No one should have to endure this and together we must stand up and stop it.”

Max, meanwhile, said “BTS is one of the hardest working and most humble groups in the industry” and “they deserve all the success they’ve earned.”

BTS is one of the hardest working and most humble groups in the industry. They deserve all the success they’ve earned. Hearing such hateful words used against them by the radio host at Bayern 3 made me sick. The hate to them and the Asian community as a whole is unacceptable

— MAX (@MAXMusic) February 26, 2021

“Hearing such hateful words used against them by the radio host at Bayern 3 made me sick. The hate to them and the Asian community as a whole is unacceptable,” said the “Lights Down” singer.

The three artists have collaborated with BTS: Halsey on “Boy With Luv”; Lauv on his song “Who” and the group’s “Make It Right”; and Max with Suga on “Blueberry Eyes” and the BTS member’s “D-2” album. – RC, GMA News