American trading card company slammed for illustrating BTS bruised and battered amid violence against Asians

Netizens slammed an American trading card company after it released an illustration of BTS members bruised and battered amid the growing violence against the Asian community in the U.S.

Topps Company, known to produce collectible items, unveiled a new "The Garbage Pail Kids" collection which featured some of the biggest performers during the Grammy night on Sunday.

Called "The Shammy Awards," the card collection illustrated numerous artists such as Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Megan the Stallion and even Billie Eilish into caricatures.

BTS fans were quick to notice, however, that the K-pop group's illustration, called "BTS Bruisers" and "Bopping KPOP" were the only ones depicted with violence.

While Taylor Swift was dubbed as "Tree Swift" and was illustrated to perform on a tree, and Megan was the "Stunning Stallion" riding a horse on the beach, BTS members were illustrated to be in a game of Whack-A-Mole where the Grammy award is the supposed hammer that left the members' faces bruised and wounded.

While it could be said that the illustration was satirical — BTS lost during the ceremony despite giving a powerful performance — many netizens said that it was a racist and unfair illustration especially with the growing number of violence experienced by the Asian community.

Youtuber Jose Ochoa asked, "Can you explain why you chose to illustrate BTS in this way? The other artists you’ve included have no depiction of violence in their illustrations. Why did this get green-lit?"

"I’m all for satire but there were different ways you could’ve approached the situation with the Grammys using BTS. With the rise in anti-Asian Hate Crimes, you chose to illustrate them getting beat by a grammy in a game of whac-a-mole," he added.

.@Topps Can you explain why you chose to illustrate BTS in this way? The other artists you’ve included have no depiction of violence in their illustrations. Why did this get green-lit? https://t.co/BAVYlvOpKO pic.twitter.com/I4tukzTofg

— José/JK Mixtape? (@TheJose8A) March 17, 2021

Other netizens also said that seven Asian men being beaten up is in no way funny given the climate against the Asian community.

As of writing, the #RacismIsNotComedy has trended with over 265,000 tweets.

I'm sick and tired of this, portraying 7 Asian men being beaten up brutally is not a comedy nor a joke this is violence and is racially charged.

You need to remove it imediately and apologize @Topps#RacismIsNotComedy pic.twitter.com/nvmNxx8nAo

— Daisy JJK1 is coming?????? (@activekook) March 17, 2021

You somehow thought 7 Asian men being beaten by a trophy when there is such surge in hate crimes against Asian people was a “funny” exaggeration to create a comic effect ? Lets talk. #RacismIsNotComedy pic.twitter.com/vfQcg1CbV7

— Aniksha (@anikshasharma) March 17, 2021

I'm seeing people saying "If you don't like the joke just ignore it" NO! Racism is not a joke and you silencing people who are offended is not okay. You are part of the problem!#RacismIsNotComedy

— ? (@JoonieArkive) March 17, 2021

If your version of comedy is Asians being beaten by an award that is bestowed by an institution of voters of predominantly white people, you’re not being a comedian, you’re a dehumanizing racist with disgusting humor. #RacismIsNotComedy

— ?? ???? witchy ???? (IA until my mind drifts) ???? ? (@Shuo_wh) March 17, 2021

The illustration came out at a time when several attacks against Asian immigrants are being reported.

On Tuesday, eight people, majority of whom were Asian-American women, were killed in shootings at three different spas in the US.

Before the release of the offensive sticker card illustration, a German radio host was also slammed for making racist comments towards BTS. — LA, GMA News