TWICE’s Chaeyoung issues apology for wearing Swastika shirt days after backlash for QAnon top

Chaeyoung said she “didn’t correctly recognize the meaning of the tilted swastika in the t-shirt."

TWICE’s Chaeyoung has apologized for wearing a T-shirt featuring a Swastika. The 23-year-old singer-rapper earlier posted a picture of herself wearing the shirt on Instagram but quickly deleted following backlash. The singer was wearing a shirt which featured the Sex Pistols’ Sid Vicious sporting a swastika.

TWICE’s Chaeyoung issues apology for wearing Swastika shirt days after backlash for QAnon top

The singer was also seen performing in the QAnon shirt for Korean reality show Show! Music Core. Following immense backlash from fans, Chaeyoung took to Instagram to issue an apology statement. “Hello, this is Chaeyoung from Twice. I sincerely apologize regarding the Instagram post,” she wrote in the shared post.

“I didn’t correctly recognize the meaning of the tilted swastika in the t-shirt I wore,” she said in the statement, written in both English and Korean. “I deeply apologize for not thoroughly reviewing it, causing concern. I will pay absolute attention in the future to prevent any situation similar from happening again. Sincerely apologize again.”

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A post shared by 채영 (CHAEYOUNG) (@chaeyo.0)

As noted by Variety, people were quick to point out that Chaeyoung had also performed wearing a T-shirt with the QAnon slogan “Where we go one, we go all,” a phrase associated with the QAnon conspiracy theory which sprouted in 2017 and is known for spreading conspiracy theories in defense of former US President Donald Trump.

im tired of kpop fans because why am i seeing people trying to cover up the fact that chaeyoung posted a photo of herself wearing a shirt with a swastika on it TODAY pic.twitter.com/xCYlpNaBkT

— cam !! (@iQuackbur) March 21, 2023

u/Zombiejill on Reddit just pointed out that @JYPETWICE's stylists put Chaeyoung in a Q anon shirt

If you're going to ramp up promotions in the US, get the US label to CHECK HOW YOU'RE STYLING IDOLS. Not styling anyone in neo nazi conspiracy cult merch would be a great start. pic.twitter.com/sRAwBLNVT6

— hotlaps (@SirHotLaps) March 18, 2023

This isn’t the first time a K-pop band saw itself in a Nazi logo controversy. In 2018, BTS representatives also apologized after one of the band members was spotted wearing a hat in a style originally worn by SS officers, featuring a swastika and eagle logo.

In 2021, GFriend’s Sowon apologized after being photographed with a Nazi mannequin, hugging and caressing it. In 2022, a Purple Kiss member was snapped wearing a Swastika in a military-themed photoshoot. The band’s agency then apologized stating “the responsibility of this incident is not on the artist”.

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