Ever since BTS made their highly anticipated comeback, it feels like there’s barely been a moment when the members haven’t found themselves at the centre of some kind of online debate. From Jungkook’s candid livestream and the criticism over his language in April, to V facing backlash over Coca-Cola and Starbucks, and Jimin being caught up in dating rumours, each member has dealt with their own wave of criticism.
Now, the spotlight has turned to RM and J-Hope.
The two BTS members are facing backlash after attending Chris Brown’s concert in Toronto, sharing moments from the show and later appearing in a photo with the singer.
But why has something as simple as attending a concert become such a big issue for fans? And what exactly sparked the latest backlash?
RM and J-Hope attended the Chris Brown and Usher concert at Rogers Stadium in Toronto on August 12, 2026, just days before BTS are scheduled to perform at the same venue.
During the concert, J-Hope shared Instagram Stories from the show, including a clip of himself and RM singing and dancing to Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now.”
Things escalated when Chris Brown later posted a backstage photo with RM and J-Hope on his Instagram.
So, why are fans angry?
The main issue isn't that RM and J-Hope went to a concert. It's who they went to see and how openly they interacted with him.
Chris Brown has a well-documented history of violence-related cases. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna. He has also faced another legal case in the UK stemming from a 2023 nightclub incident and pleaded guilty to affray earlier this year.
Because of that history, some ARMYs felt uncomfortable seeing RM and J-Hope smiling with Brown, dancing to his music and publicly sharing the experience.
Jungkook and V Also Drew Attention
The discussion surrounding RM and J-Hope didn't happen in isolation.
Just one day earlier, fellow BTS members Jungkook and V also played and sang along to several Chris Brown songs during a livestream on the group's official Weverse platform.
The songs included “New Flame,” “Loyal” and “Don't Judge Me.”
That timing added another layer to the conversation. Instead of one isolated interaction, fans were suddenly discussing several BTS members engaging with Brown's music within a short period.
But not every fan is criticizing them
Some fans say they're genuinely disappointed because they believe BTS members should have known about Brown's history and should have avoided publicly associating with him.
Others are taking a different position: liking an artist's music doesn't necessarily mean approving of everything that artist has done. Some fans also argue that BTS members are adults who can choose which concerts they attend and which music they enjoy.
As of the latest reports, RM, J-Hope and BTS' representatives have not publicly addressed the backlash.
