K-pop superstar BTS stayed atop the Oricon Charts and its concert at 50,000-capacity Tokyo Dome on Tuesday fully sold out even as they upset some in Japan due to controversy over the apparel some of the members wore in the past with an image of an atomic bomb explosion and a Nazi emblem.

The scene outside the stadium was no different from other BTS concerts – fans camping out and forming endless lines to catch a glimpse of the seven-member Korean boy band and merchandisers selling BTS goodies from very early in the morning on Tuesday despite threats by extreme rightists holding rally and boycotting the event. Just two were noted holding up a protest banner sign.

The concert ticket was instantly sold out. BTS’s Tokyo dome concert fetched over 1 million won ($882) in an internet auction.

AsahiTV’s Music Station and others called off planned appearances of the boy band after a member wearing a t-shirt with an image of the atomic bomb went viral. The t-shirt also featured Korean independence slogans. Media dug up another photo image of a different member wearing a hat with a Nazi emblem.

The atomic bombing killed hundreds of thousands of people in Japan but it also led to the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule, under which millions of Koreans suffered from forced labor to sexual slavery. The wartime history shared between Japan and Korea still remains an extremely sensitive topic in both countries.

“I love Jimin’s smile. I do not care what people say about the t-shirt and I will guard BTS from unfair attacks,” said a BTS fan while waiting for the concert in Tokyo.

Jimin, the BTS member who was mired in the latest controversy over the t-shirt, apologized to his fans after the Tokyo concert for making them worry about him and wished for more opportunities to meet with BTS fans in Japan. Their agency also issued a formal apology.

BTS, which debuted in 2013, shot to international fame when it became the first K-pop act to top the Billboard Artist 100 Chart this year. It recently wrapped up the European and American legs of their Love Yourself world tour, with all tickets sold out in minutes.

By Park Chang-young and Cho Jeehyun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]