BTS’ Jungkook recently faced intense criticism after being spotted wearing a cap with the phrase “Make Tokyo Great Again” during rehearsals for J-Hope’s HOPE ON THE STAGE FINAL concert. The phrase drew backlash due to its political undertones, as it echoes Donald Trump’s controversial slogan and has been associated with right-wing sentiments in both Japan and South Korea. While Jungkook promptly apologized on Weverse, explaining he was unaware of the phrase’s political context, the controversy continued to gain momentum online.
Amid the ongoing discourse surrounding Jungkook’s hat, attention suddenly shifted to NewJeans when videos and photos allegedly showing member Danielle at a club began circulating online. These visuals, which quickly went viral, sparked criticism due to the group’s ongoing contract-related tensions with their agency, ADOR. Some fans assumed the videos were recent and framed them as irresponsible behavior during a delicate time.
However, Bunnies—the fandom of NewJeans—came to Danielle’s defense. They argued that the footage was not new, instead linking it to G-Dragon’s Übermensch album release party in February, where Danielle and Haerin were photographed with CL. Others claimed the videos were from an Emotional Oranges event that Danielle attended in support of her sister’s collaboration with the band. Supporters pointed to her outfit in the videos, which matched what she wore at the Emotional Oranges event, as proof.
As speculation intensified, fans began accusing HYBE of orchestrating a media distraction. Many believe the timing of the NewJeans leak was too convenient and suspect that the agency deliberately allowed the old videos to resurface to divert public focus from Jungkook’s hat scandal. The theory gained traction on social media, with fans expressing frustration over what they viewed as manipulation by the label to protect its more established artist.
The criticism surrounding Jungkook stemmed from deeper political implications. The slogan on his cap, originally popularized by Donald Trump, was adopted by controversial figures like Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Many fans and netizens viewed Jungkook’s choice of accessory as inadvertently promoting ideologies tied to nationalism and conservatism, which they found problematic. Despite his apology, some believed HYBE should have stepped in with an official statement to better address the issue.
Now, with both Jungkook and NewJeans caught in separate but suspiciously timed controversies, fans have turned their scrutiny toward HYBE. Many are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the agency, criticizing what they see as poor crisis management and unfair treatment of artists. Whether the events were coordinated or purely coincidental remains unclear, but the incidents have left a lasting impact on fan trust and public perception.