by Reporter Yoon Jongchae
As the government investigation into allegations of Sajaegi surrounding BTS is underway, fans worldwide are expressing their discontent. On the 5th, the hashtag "SOUTH KOREA APOLOGIZE TO BTS" became a trending keyword in the K-pop category on X. Nearly 170,000 related Tweets were written on X alone.
These fans criticized fiercely, stating, "South Korea does not deserve to have BTS," "It's a mistake that BTS was born in Korea," "BTS is the reason Korea gained global recognition," and "South Korea does not deserve to participate in the 2030 World Expo."
In response to the controversy, BTS' fandom, known as 'ARMY,' released a statement in the form of a full-page advertisement in some newspapers under the name of 'BTS's ARMY.' In the statement, ARMYs claimed, "We criticize HYBE, the agency, for turning a blind eye to the significant damage that BTS, who is unrelated to the current situation, is suffering from false news and rumors."
Some ARMYs members also sent protest trucks with slogans such as 'An unethical company that uses artists in military service as shields' and 'Is this what an entertainment agency does?' Additionally, condolence wreaths with messages like 'Neglecting the rumor of a national hero' were sent to the HYBE headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul.
Regarding this matter, Big Hit Music stated in an official statement on the 2nd, "Various allegations that undermine BTS are not true, and false information and defamation posts have already been submitted to the authorities to investigate. We'll keep watching and collecting proof, and we might file more complaints later on."
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is currently investigating the suspicion of BTS Sajaegi. This incident resurfaced as the 2017 January coercion case verdict was recently disclosed on online communities. A individual (referred to as A) indicted for joint coercion over alleged BTS Sajaegi, stated at the time, "I have evidence of illegal marketing. If you don't pay, I will spread the related information to the media." A is accused of extorting a total of 57 M KRW from Big Hit Music in eight separate instances.
In response, Big Hit Music stated, "The inappropriate marketing activities mentioned in the perpetrator's coercion and blackmail are solely the perpetrator's unilateral claims, and 'manipulative marketing' refers to usual online viral marketing."
-Take them, and if possible, take Bang Sihyuk with you.
-Take themㅜ and while you're at it, take Bang too ㅠ
-Whatever.
-They probably think Korean netizens will be offended if they mock the Expo... Not at all..
-Hey, your oppas are not that big of a deal in Korea, go back.
-Shouldn't BTS apologize to Korea? They did illegal activities through Sajaegi, didn't they?
-No one cares about the group that did Sajaegi, so take them.
-These people's thoughts are so dangerous... So if someone is nationally famous, should all their shady practices and cheating be overlooked?
-Take it and take Bang and HYBE, except for Min Heejin and New Jeans.
-They really don't know what's going on..ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋ.. It's really funnyㅋㅋㅋ
-....?? Korea is confused....
-It seems their fandom is always angry and resentful, not just in Korea.
-Return all the medals and commendations and take them... We don't need a fake group without any skill.
-They're at it again.
-Ah... Just take them, are BTS the only Korean singers?
-Please take them;; We don't want to own a Sajaegi group in Korea~
-Whatever... It won't change the fact that they did Sajaegi. So frustrating.
-Are they going to apologize for doing Sajaegi?ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
