BTS fans, known as ARMY, are calling for an apology from Geffen Records after an executive’s inappropriate behavior regarding the release of Jimin’s second album. The incident has sparked outrage among fans worldwide, who feel that the executive’s actions were disrespectful and discriminatory.
The controversy began when a fan requested iTunes pre-order links for Jimin’s new single, “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band,” and suggested the release of a European version to boost the single’s performance on the UK charts. Instead of addressing the fan’s concerns, the executive, identified as Kurzeka, responded with a Spotify link to “Us,” a song by Gracie Abrams featuring Taylor Swift, and added the caption, “song of the year.”
This response was seen as dismissive and insulting by BTS fans, who took to social media to express their anger. Many fans believe that the executive’s actions were not only unprofessional but also indicative of a broader issue of discrimination against Asians in the music industry.
Comments from fans included:
1. “What are the comments? Haven’t you read the article yet? Whatever BTS’s problem is, it’s clearly discrimination against Asians, and even if I’m not a fan, I criticize him.”
2. “The record company didn’t do what they were supposed to do?? It seems like they intentionally mocked Jimin.”
3. “Are people who tolerate racism against Koreans really Koreans?!”
4. “Why is it that every time BTS fans raise an issue, they beat up the BTS fans who raised the issue and not the target of the issue?”
5. “I get mad because the people criticizing Bangtan didn’t even read the article.”
6. “GEFFEN Records is really making noise.”
7. “He’s so rude.”
8. “He should apologize to Jimin and the fans.”
9. “Of course fans will be angry.”
10. “They are always racist.”
BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band formed in 2010. The group consists of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, who co-write or co-produce much of their material. Originally a hip hop group, they have expanded their musical style to incorporate a wide range of genres, while their lyrics have focused on subjects including mental health, the troubles of school-age youth, coming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, individualism, and the consequences of fame and recognition.
BTS debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment with the single album “2 Cool 4 Skool.” They released their first Korean and Japanese-language studio albums, “Dark & Wild” and “Wake Up” respectively, in 2014. The group’s second Korean studio album, “Wings” (2016), was their first to sell one million copies in South Korea. By 2017, BTS had crossed into the global music market and led the Korean Wave into the United States, becoming the first Korean ensemble to receive a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for their single “Mic Drop,” as well as the first act from South Korea to top the Billboard 200 with their studio album “Love Yourself: Tear” (2018).
In 2020, BTS became the fastest group since the Beatles to chart four US number-one albums in less than two years, with “Love Yourself: Answer” (2018) becoming the first Korean album certified Platinum by the RIAA. In the same year, they also became the first all-South Korean act to reach number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Global 200 with their Grammy-nominated single “Dynamite.” Follow-up releases “Savage Love,” “Life Goes On,” “Butter,” and “Permission to Dance” made them the fastest act to earn four US number-one singles since Justin Timberlake in 2006.
As of 2023, BTS is the best-selling musical act in South Korean history according to the Circle Chart, having sold in excess of 40 million albums. Their studio album “Map of the Soul: 7” (2020) is the fourth best-selling album of all time in South Korea, as well as the first in the country to surpass both four and five million registered sales. They are the first non-English-speaking and Asian act to sell out concerts at Wembley Stadium and the Rose Bowl (Love Yourself World Tour, 2019), and were named the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) Global Recording Artist of the Year for both 2020 and 2021.
The group’s accolades include multiple American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, and nominations for five Grammy Awards. Outside of music, they have addressed three sessions of the United Nations General Assembly and partnered with UNICEF in 2017 to establish the Love Myself anti-violence campaign. Featured on Time’s international cover as “Next Generation Leaders” and dubbed the “Princes of Pop,” BTS has also appeared on Time’s lists of the 25 most influential people on the internet (2017–2019) and the 100 most influential people in the world (2019), and in 2018 became the youngest recipients of the South Korean Order of Cultural Merit for their contributions in spreading the Korean culture and language.
On June 14, 2022, the group announced a scheduled pause in group activities to enable the members to complete their 18 months of mandatory South Korean military service, with a reunion planned for 2025. Jin, the oldest member, enlisted on December 13, 2022; the others followed in 2023.
The recent incident with Geffen Records has only added to the frustration of BTS fans, who feel that the group and its members are often subjected to unfair treatment and discrimination. Fans are now demanding a formal apology from Geffen Records and the executive involved, hoping that this will serve as a reminder to the music industry to treat all artists with the respect they deserve.
Source: Various
