The Chainsmokers have apologised for joking about Chinese people eating dogs.
As part of their tour, the ‘Closer’ singers visited China to play at electronic music festival Ultra China. During their stay, the American duo sat down for an interview – a video of which was shared on their Twitter account.
In the now-deleted video, The Chainsmokers’ Alex Pall was asked if he brings his dogs on tour with him.
“Well I don’t know if I’d bring her to China,” Pall said, before bursting into laughter. According to Buzzfeed, the interviewer then looked at the camera and tried to ask another question. Pall, who was still in hysterics was not able to answer it.
Twitter users took to the platform to express their dismay at the group. Many called the group out for being racist.
“I didnt know that chainsmokers has a reputation of being racist among other stuff,” wrote one Twitter user. “I never really followed them. I was just amazed that.”
Another claimed to have liked their music prior to this incident. “i mean i like chainsmokers music but now they out here being racist, [sic]” the Twitter user wrote.
One user took the opportunity to slam the band’s talents too, “the chainsmokers are racist but jokes on them all their songs sound the same&their lyrics sound straight out of an angsty 10th graders diary [sic]”
the chainsmokers are racist but jokes on them all their songs sound the same&their lyrics sound straight out of an angsty 10th graders diary
— isabela (@isabelastweets) September 12, 2017
I didnt know that chainsmokers has a reputation of being racist among other stuff. I never really followed them. I was just amazed that
— monster moonie (@nanaBiiz) September 12, 2017
I really hate the chainsmokers they’re racist and fake and never original and now they’re trying to ride the wave of bts’ popularity NO WAY
— kris // sh bec uni (@wupermannn) September 12, 2017
Chainsmokers haters: they are racist etc..
Heard the song closer they’re like: so baby pull me closer… 😂
— jin x jungkook (@pinkjinkook) September 12, 2017
The Chainsmokers have since published a written apology via Twitter. “I made a comment in an interview about being hesitant to bring my dog, Cheddar, to China because I have read reports about dogs being slaughtered in certain provinces,” the post beings.
The group claimed that the video was somehow intended to show their love for China. “We originally posted a video to share how much we love China and our fans there. We would never intentionally do anything to upset our fans and we apologize if we offended anyone.”
Bringing the post to an end, the group took the opportunity to encourage readers to fight against the slaughtering of dogs in Yulin. “Anyone who wants to help prevent the slaughter of dogs please visit http://www.stopyulinforever.org“
https://t.co/0ukfSpfybJ pic.twitter.com/nNnsWXFaWW
— THE CHAINSMOKERS (@TheChainsmokers) September 11, 2017
However, Twitter users were clearly not sold on the group’s apology. “This apology doesn’t even sound genuine at all. keep it. [sic]” wrote one user.
“You did not misunderstand it. They said something racist and are faking an apology for it now because they got called out,” wrote another.
“This was a half-assed apology saying “sorry you were offended” instead of “sorry for my ignorance and tasteless humour””, one user wrote.
This was a half-assed apology saying “sorry you were offended” instead of “sorry for my ignorance and tasteless humour”. This isn’t abt BTS.
— NAMJOON DAY ♡ (@mariacatalinax) September 12, 2017
1) You generalized an entire country so don’t think “if you offended anyone” YOU OFFENDED PEOPLE. 2) You’re not really sorry if you’re1
— Esther 🐰🐻💕 (@sensitivewonho) September 11, 2017
Going to post about preventing dog slaughter which goes back to your comment that you made in the first place. Do better.
— Esther 🐰🐻💕 (@sensitivewonho) September 11, 2017
3) You are in China insulting China in front of an interviewer who is Chinese and you’re saying if you offended anyone?
— Esther 🐰🐻💕 (@sensitivewonho) September 11, 2017
Since you provided a link..here’s my link for you. Good day https://t.co/jmFs9oRua0
— Esther 🐰🐻💕 (@sensitivewonho) September 11, 2017
anyways this apology doesn’t even sound genuine at all. keep it.
— pam (@adoretoews) September 11, 2017
why are non asians accepting this apology on behalf of us asians? some of yall only care about shielding your faves than the actual issue
— pam (@adoretoews) September 11, 2017
— pam (@adoretoews) September 11, 2017
Please stop accepting apologies in behalf of Chinese and East Asians, it’s not okay what they said. It wasn’t a joke either. 他们说的话就是殴辱我们中国人.
— 큥🕊 (@byunseouI) September 11, 2017
