Advertisement
Just two days after returning to civilian life, BTS member Jungkook found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy—over a cap he wore. On June 13, during rehearsals for his surprise appearance at J-Hope’s HOPE ON THE STAGE concert in Goyang, eagle-eyed fans and netizens noticed that Jungkook was sporting a hat with the phrase “Make Tokyo Great Again.” The slogan, reminiscent of politically charged messaging, sparked swift backlash online.
In response, Jungkook issued a heartfelt apology via his Weverse account in the early hours of June 14, acknowledging the hurt caused and taking full responsibility. In his note, he expressed deep regret for his lack of awareness regarding the phrase’s historical and political weight. He admitted that his actions were careless and promised to approach future decisions with greater sensitivity and thoughtfulness. Emphasizing that there was “no excuse,” Jungkook shared that he had already discarded the cap and would accept all criticism humbly.
Despite the controversy, the moment marked Jungkook’s first live performance post-military service, which coincided with BTS’s 12th debut anniversary. During J-Hope’s encore concert, Jungkook performed several crowd-favorite tracks including SEVEN, Don’t Say You Love Me, and a duet of Spring Day with Jin. The highlight for many fans was his collaborative stage for i wonder with J-Hope and their moving trio performance of Jamais Vu.
The energy was electric as the full BTS lineup reunited—Jin, RM, V, Jimin, and SUGA all attended and cheered from the audience, bringing a touching sense of unity to the celebration. Fans danced along to powerful performances of classics like MIC Drop, Baepsae, and Airplane Pt. 2, as the group proved their bond remains strong both on and off stage.
Though the hat incident was a misstep, Jungkook’s prompt and sincere apology has reassured many fans of his integrity and willingness to learn.