K-pop sensation BTS is under fire from some fans following an encounter with controversial American artist Chris Brown at his Toronto concert. Members J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok) and RM (Kim Nam-joon) were seen attending Brown’s show at Rogers Stadium, where he performed alongside Usher.
A photo shared on Brown’s Instagram showed J-Hope and RM posing with the singer, and videos surfaced of them enjoying the concert. Brown, known for his legal troubles, has a criminal record dating back to a 2009 assault on singer Rihanna. Multiple assault charges led to his imprisonment in 2014 and a recent guilty plea in a London nightclub incident.
The online reaction among BTS’s ARMY, their dedicated fan base, varied. Some expressed disappointment over the members’ association with Brown, while others defended J-Hope and RM, suggesting they might have been there to see Usher rather than endorse Brown’s past actions.
Acknowledging Brown’s history, supporters emphasized the importance of distinguishing between criticizing a decision and attacking someone’s character. Speculation on the members’ intentions or beliefs regarding Brown’s past was deemed unfair by some fans.
Despite the controversy, BTS’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment on the matter.