An absurd conspiracy theory over the time girl group aespa took the stage at NHK's year-end music show "Kohaku Uta Gassen" last year prompted the broadcaster to issue an explanation.
According to Japan's Sankei Shimbun on the 12th, a conspiracy theory related to the atomic bomb was raised over the fact that aespa's stage appearance on Kohaku Uta Gassen was aired at 8:15 p.m., and NHK denied it, saying, "Claims spreading on social media (SNS) are baseless false information, and there was no intention of any kind."
aespa appeared on the "76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen," which aired Dec. 31 last year, and their stage time was around 8:15 p.m.
Among local netizens, suspicions arose that this time was intended to evoke "8:15, the time of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, or Aug. 15, Japan's end-of-war memorial day (Korea's Liberation Day)."
As a result, some said, "There is an intention to insult Japan," "It is hard to see as a coincidence," and "NHK intentionally had them appear at this time."
On the 1st, a netizen pointed out on X (formerly Twitter), "The time of the Hiroshima atomic bombing was around 8:15:00 a.m., and the time of the flash and explosion was around 8:15:43 a.m.," adding, "A review of the 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' replay confirms that aespa was on screen throughout those times."
There were also claims that lyrics in "Whiplash," the song aespa performed on stage, such as "big flash" and "blow," hint at the circumstances of the atomic bombing.
From the moment news broke that aespa would appear on Kohaku Uta Gassen, criticism emerged in Japan. Kohaku Uta Gassen is Japan's representative year-end music festival broadcast by NHK, and it is regarded as featuring stars who are popular locally.
On Japanese social media, users again raised issues over a 2022 photo of lighting that Chinese member Ningning posted on a fan communication platform, saying it brought to mind an "atomic bomb mushroom cloud." An online petition opposing aespa's appearance on Kohaku Uta Gassen also circulated.
On the day of Kohaku Uta Gassen, Ningning did not attend. SM Entertainment said two days before the broadcast, "Ningning has contracted influenza (the flu) and will not be on site on a doctor's recommendation."