K-pop Star G-Dragon Apologizes for Racist Shirt

G-Dragon's agency, Galaxy Corporation, issued a formal apology on May 3rd, 2026, for the culturally insensitive shirt worn by the K-pop artist during his K-Spark show in Macau, China, on May 2nd, 2026. The statement expressed regret for the "inappropriate wording" featured on the performer's clothing, emphasizing the need for heightened cultural sensitivity.

The agency committed to thoroughly reassessing and strengthening their internal review processes for styling and related activities. They vowed to uphold higher standards of global respect and responsibility, ensuring thoughtful accountability for all artist-related endeavors and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds.

The shirt in question displayed an offensive Dutch racial term, likened to the N-word, on the back and a caricature of a Black man on the front. This incident echoes past accusations of racial insensitivity against G-Dragon, including a 2013 instance where he posted a photo with black face paint, which his representative attributed to album art rather than a racial statement.