BTS RM·J-Hope, Overseas Fans "Disappointed" by Chris Brown and Usher Concert Attendance

BTS members RM and J-Hope were recently reported to have attended the R&B tour concert of Chris Brown and Usher held at Rogers Stadium. After the performance, the two took photos backstage with Chris Brown and Usher, and these photos were shared on social media, sparking various reactions from international fans. Overseas fans expressed discomfort about RM and J-Hope interacting with Chris Brown. Chris Brown has been involved in controversies including assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, being arrested for assaulting a fan at a hotel in Washington D.C. in 2014, and assaulting a music producer at a club in London in 2023. Due to this history, Brown’s activities have been a subject of ongoing debate. Some international netizens showed strong disappointment with comments like ″Are you defending a woman abuser?″ and ″There is now a reason to boycott BTS.″ On the other hand, some defended BTS by saying, ″This is not to justify Chris Brown’s actions, but outside the U.S., many people are not well aware of his past.″ RM has previously stated that he has worked to improve his awareness of gender equality following controversies related to misogyny, and in a 2021 interview, he mentioned having his lyrics reviewed by a women’s studies professor. Meanwhile, BTS is a seven-member boy group that debuted in 2013 and has released numerous hit songs such as ″Arirang,″ ″Dynamite,″ and ″Butter.″ On the 14th, global music data company Luminate announced that in a survey of American music consumers, BTS had a recognition rate of 42% and a favorability rate of 46%.