QVC apologizes for 'you'll love this bag longtime' promo that critics say was racist slight toward Asian women after controversial email was sent on International Women's Day

QVC was forced to apologize after they issued a racist, sexist advert using the phrase 'you'll love this bag longtime' on International Women's Day. 

The shopping giant shared the promo in an email last week, advertising a handbag with the subject line 'you'll love this bag longtime.'

A furious backlash erupted with customers accusing QVC of racism and sexism. 

The line is a play on 'Me love you long time,' an insulting idiom that has been used as a demeaning phrase toward Asian women since the 1980s. 

QVC President Mike Fitzharris issued an apology for the 'derogatory' language, and saying, 'I am personally sending this email because I want to apologize deeply that this happened.'

QVC President Mike Fitzharris issued an apology for the 'derogatory' language

The line is a play on the demeaning phrase 'Me love you long time'

He added, 'Earlier today, you received a marketing email for our Today’s Special Value that used derogatory language that is offensive, particularly to the Asian community and women, in the subject line.

'It runs counter to our values and principles as an organization and is in no way reflective of our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, something that makes us stronger as an organization.'

Many thought the email was particularly offensive given it was issued on International Women's Day. 

One person wrote on X, 'This is racist. Someone probably thought they could get away with it-thought it was funny. 

'I was shocked to see the subject line earlier today & I'm glad QVC got push back and acted quickly.' 

Another said, 'Not a good look QVC'. 

The phrase is a reference to the line 'me love you long time' which has long drawn criticism for being racist. 

The words were popularized in Stanley Kubrick's 1987 fictional war movie, Full Metal Jacket. 

Fitzharris said the company will be making adjustments to ensure nothing like it happens again

Many thought the email was particularly offensive given it was issued on International Women's Day

In the film, a Vietnamese sex worker, played by actress Papillon Soo, says the words along with 'me so horny.' 

The phrases play into an offensive stereotype of Asian women as hypersexualized and subservient. 

Fitzharris said the company will be making adjustments to ensure nothing like it happens again. 

He said: 'This will be done closely with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team to ensure we provide diverse perspectives and reviews with our language. 

'We need to do better, and we will do better. I am sorry we didn’t do better today.'

NBC News was first to report on the offensive email promo.