BTS’s Jungkook is facing backlash after wearing a hat during a rehearsal that featured a controversial slogan. The phrase, “Make Tokyo Great Again,” was printed in English and quickly drew attention from fans due to its association with extreme right-wing Japanese views and a parallel to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign motto.
The issue arose during the rehearsal for fellow BTS member J-Hope’s encore world tour concert, ‘J-Hope Tour: Hope on the Street Final’, held at Goyang Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province. Jungkook had completed his rehearsal on the afternoon of June 13 as a guest for the show.
After fans pointed out the problematic implications of the slogan, Jungkook didn’t waste time in issuing a public apology on June 14 via the fan platform Weverse.
He wrote, “It deeply weighs on my heart to be writing this after meeting you all after a long time. I sincerely apologize for disappointing and causing discomfort to many due to the phrase written on the hat I wore during today’s rehearsal.”
He continued, “I take heavy responsibility for disappointing and hurting you all due to my lack of judgment in not sufficiently checking the historical and political meaning contained in the phrase.”
“There is no room for excuses for any reason. I was lacking, and I was careless. In the future, I will think more deeply about each and every action.”
He also shared that the hat had already been thrown away and stated, “I humbly accept all criticisms and feedback regarding my mistake. The hat has been immediately discarded. I apologize once again.”
Just a few days prior, Jungkook was officially discharged from his mandatory military service on June 11, making this one of his first public appearances post-discharge.
His swift acknowledgment and apology were met with mixed reactions, but many praised his sense of responsibility.
Jungkook’s Full Apology:
Hello, this is Jungkook.
It deeply weighs on my heart to be writing this after meeting you all after a long time.
I sincerely apologize for disappointing and causing discomfort to many due to the phrase written on the hat I wore during today’s rehearsal.
I take heavy responsibility for disappointing and hurting you all due to my lack of judgment in not sufficiently checking the historical and political meaning contained in the phrase.
I am just sorry.
There is no room for excuses for any reason. I was lacking, and I was careless.
In the future, I will think more deeply about each and every action.
I humbly accept all criticisms and feedback regarding my mistake.
The hat has been immediately discarded.
I apologize once again.
