Korean pop sensation BTS is facing criticism from some of their supporters following the appearance of two band members alongside controversial American artist Chris Brown at his Toronto concert on Wednesday.
J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok) and RM (Kim Nam-joon) were spotted at Brown’s performance, which took place at Rogers Stadium. The duo also featured in a photo shared on Brown’s Instagram account, where they were seen posing with the singer and later captured enjoying the show in videos posted on social media.
Brown, known for his troubled past, including a criminal record and multiple assault charges, has a history of legal issues dating back to 2009. This includes a felony assault charge for attacking his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna, and subsequent jail time in 2014. Recently, he pleaded guilty to an assault charge for an incident in a London nightclub.
The BTS members’ association with Brown has sparked mixed reactions within the group’s fan base, known as the ARMY. While some fans expressed disappointment and distanced themselves from the band, others defended J-Hope and RM, suggesting they may have attended the show primarily to see Usher, who was also performing.
Various social media users voiced contrasting opinions on the matter, with some emphasizing the importance of recognizing Brown’s past actions but also calling for understanding and refraining from making assumptions about the band members’ intentions. Despite the controversy, representatives for BTS have not issued a statement addressing the situation.
BTS is set to perform at the same venue in Toronto on August 22 and 23.