Channel Nine has come under fire for a derogatory segment about BTS on their countdown program, 20 to 1.

The show, which was counting down the top 20 global crazes, placed BTS at No.18, claiming they are 'the biggest band you've never heard of' before calling them 'the South Korean One Direction'.

A number of talking heads gave opinions in the piece, including UK comedian Jimmy Carr comparing the group's impact to nuclear war. The voice-over stated that the group's BBMAs win was surprising as 'only one member actually speaks English', while other commentators mocked the group's young female fanbase and members' singing skills, before stating they loved the members' 'gangster names' - including members Jimin, Jin and Jungkook, who don't use stage names.

BTS' Australian fan group AUSTRALIA BTS issued a series of tweets to 20 to One, stating they were extremely disappointed by the segment, that it was factually incorrect and perpetuated racist and misogynistic stereotypes.

Fans had the Twitter hashtag #Channel9Apologise trending No.1 in Australia overnight, and the hashtag has since trended No.1 in South Korea. International BTS fans have also come forward to express their anger towards the racist and xenophobic undertones of the segment.

SBS PopAsia reached out to Channel Nine, with a Nine spokesperson responding:

“As a light-hearted entertainment program, it is our belief that last night’s episode of 20 to One, which highlighted the ‘Greatest Global Crazes’, did not breach any broadcast regulations, and was intended to humorously highlight the popularity of the group. We apologise to any who may have been offended by last night’s episode.”

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