Widespread circulation on social media platform X is currently trending on BTS‘ soft stance and lack of control towards the toxic behavior of their fandom’s fanatical urge to lash out irrationally with death threats.
A 2021 interview clip from BTS‘s appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden has resurfaced on X, drawing criticism for the group’s lighthearted response to death threats sent by some ARMY fans after Corden‘s joke mocking their fanbase during a UN speech.
In the clip, BTS member RM says to James Corden:
“But James how about you? You’ve been in some hot water with ARMYs. Are you alright? Is that alright, James? Are you okay?”
The BTS members were then seen giggling and laughing as James apologized in fear of the death threats received by ARMY.
Many netizens criticized the way RM spoke to James in a condesending and sarcastic tone in context of James receiving death threats from the ARMY.
X users have led the online backlash against the unseriousness of BTS‘ commitment to safeguard and protect threats from ARMY, highlighting patterns of harassment in K-pop fandoms and questioning BTS‘s failure to condemn the behavior.
The incident, which occurred in November 2021 following threats in September, underscores tensions in stan culture as BTS prepares for their album release in 2026.
