Jungkook’s Comeback and Recent Controversies

On June 13, 2025, BTS fans, known as ARMY, were thrilled to see Jungkook perform on stage. He had just finished his mandatory military service in South Korea. Only two days after his discharge on June 11, Jungkook and the eldest member, Jin, surprised everyone at J-Hope’s HOPE ON THE STAGE concert finale. This event also celebrated BTS’s debut anniversary.

While fans were celebrating, a drama unfolded on social media. It was about the cap Jungkook wore during rehearsal.

What Was the Issue with Jungkook’s Cap?

Photos from BTS Festa showed Jungkook rehearsing. Fans noticed his cap had the slogan “Make Tokyo Great Again.” This phrase reminded people of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial “Make America Great Again” motto. The slogan is also linked to Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko, who has been criticized for her alleged anti-Korean stance.

Credit: Instagram

Most ARMY members were unaware of the issue at first. They were too excited about the concert. News spread quickly after Jungkook posted an apology once the event ended. He addressed the controversy and said he had already discarded the cap.

Jungkook admitted his mistake. He wrote, “I wasn’t careful enough. From now on, I will think more deeply and act more cautiously, step by step.” He reassured fans that the cap had been “disposed of immediately.” He ended his message with a sincere apology, showing his willingness to learn from the experience.

Credit: Weverse

Comparing Jungkook’s Apology to aespa Karina’s Apology

Many fans moved on after Jungkook’s apology. However, some K-pop fans, especially those of aespa, saw a stark contrast. They argued that Karina was criticized for days despite also apologizing.

Karina sparked controversy after posting a photo on Instagram. She wore a black jacket with red patterns and the number 2 printed on the side. The photo, taken in Japan, included a single red rose emoji with no additional context.

Though it seemed harmless to some, the timing and symbolism were noticed. The image went viral during South Korea’s election period. Critics pointed out that the number 2 on her jacket coincided with Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party (PPP) candidate, who was listed as No. 2 on the ballot and is represented by the color red.

aespa Karina’s Instagram

This led netizens to label her with politically charged nicknames. The post was quickly deleted, but the backlash was swift and intense. Many accused her of subtly expressing political leanings.

Why Fans Thought Jungkook’s Apology Was Better

After the issue escalated, Karina issued an apology. She wrote, “I apologize to fans for creating this misunderstanding. I didn’t have any intentions [with the post], and I will act more carefully in the future.”

However, many were unhappy with the apology for two main reasons:

• She didn’t post it on Instagram, where the controversy started.
• The apology didn’t clearly explain what exactly she was apologizing for.

As for Jungkook, many believe his apology was straightforward and timely. He addressed the situation even before it escalated further. Fans praised him for being proactive and sincere.

Jungkook Faces a Sasaeng Incident

Meanwhile, Jungkook recently found himself in a deeply unsettling sasaeng incident. According to reports, a Chinese woman in her 30s attempted to illegally enter his residence on the day he was discharged from the military. Fortunately, the woman was arrested by authorities.

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