A Texas information anchor is beneath fireplace for making a weird joke through which he claimed that Oreos launched in collaboration with South Korean boy band BTS spelled out “Demise to America.”
FOX 34 Lubbock anchor James Eppler and his co-anchors had been chatting in regards to the new limited-edition cookie throughout a lighthearted section Tuesday when the published abruptly took an odd flip.
“The cream is meant to style just like the South Korean deal with hotteok, which is a brown sugar-stuffed pancake that a few of the band members say they ate as children,” Eppler mentioned.
“That sounds good,” one co-anchor replied.
“That does sound good, proper?” Eppler continued. “The cookies’ wafer is the BTS signature shade purple. Wafers are additionally engraved with one in all 13 designs, which spell out a message to followers when put collectively that’s ‘Demise to America,’ which I believe is absolutely unusual.”
His co-anchors instantly seemed surprised.
“No, it’s not,” Eppler shortly clarified whereas laughing.
“Anyone might simply be tuning in,” one co-anchor responded.
Eppler then continued with the section as regular.
The remark shortly sparked backlash on-line, with viewers and BTS followers calling the comment inappropriate and utterly misplaced.
Oreo described the collaboration as “deeply significant” because the band — which consists of RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — positioned “a chunk of their Korean heritage inside an iconic cookie they’ve at all times cherished.”
Eppler, who can also be a professor at Texas Tech, appeared to brush off the comment in actual time, however many followers demanded an apology and referred to as for his firing.
“You must practice your information anchor higher after you [have] fired this one, this was alleged to be a healthful collaboration between Oreos and BTS,” one fan wrote on-line.
“There isn’t a room for ignorance, xenophobia, prejudice, racism or something in between in journalism. If James Eppler can’t report information with out being unprofessional, he doesn’t want a platform,” one other posted.
“What about that is humorous,” one consumer wrote.
“When you knew BTS they’re essentially the most humble respectful males you’ll ever know,” one other added.
“What the hell did I simply hear?” one other viewer posted.
The Publish has reached out to Eppler for remark.
The backlash comes throughout a significant week for BTS.
The Okay-pop group swept the 2026 American Music Awards on Monday night time, successful all three awards they had been nominated for, together with artist of the yr.
The group additionally gained finest male Okay-pop artist and track of the summer season for “Swim,” the lead single from their new album “Arirang.”
“Armys, we did it as soon as once more!” band chief RM mentioned in the course of the group’s artist of the yr acceptance speech.
“It’s an honor to have this treasured award,” he added. “Our largest thanks and gratitude, as at all times, go to Armys everywhere in the world, who stood by us for the previous 13 years. Thanks a lot.”
