Controversies surrounding members of the globally popular group BTS have surfaced recently, igniting strong reactions from loyal fans, especially after two notable incidents. The first event unfolded on January 31, 2025, when Jin was the target of mockery by hosts on the Italian radio show Lo Zoo di 105 during the airing of his solo song, "Running Wild." These remarks by host Marco Mazzoli and his colleagues sparked outrage not only among Italian fans but the larger BTS ARMY worldwide.
During the broadcast, Mazzoli reportedly expressed disdain for Jin’s song, enlisting phrases like, "Turn off this headache, who the fck is this, who the fck cares, turn this sht off" (translated by Google). Such derogatory comments from Mazzoli were not taken lightly by fans, who flooded social media platforms with their disdain. Many listeners questioned the professionalism displayed by the hosts. A fan voiced the outrage saying, "This level of unprofessionalism is crazy." Another expressed anger at the blatant disrespect, stating, "Dismissing an artist’s work so rudely is unacceptable and unprofessional."
Criticism continued to mount, as listeners on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) articulated their disappointment, emphasizing the negative portrayal of Jin, who is often regarded as humble and inspirational. One user reflected the sentiments shared by many, asking, "Why are they playing music they don’t like only to mock it?" The backlash prompted fans to directly reach out to BTS’s management company, HYBE, asserting, "@Radio105 this is what people have to listen when they turn on the radio?"
After facing significant condemnation, host Fabio Alisei responded to the backlash via his Instagram story. He defended his and the show's right to express personal opinions about songs aired, categorically stating, "I claim the freedom to say, ‘I don't like this record; it's sht.'" He clarified, "This doesn't mean the artist’s entire career is inconsequential, but I exercise my right to freely critique music.” Yet, Alisei did not stop at just defending his comments; he resorted to demeaning language toward BTS fans, labeling their passion as "morbid." His remarks only intensified the animosity felt from fans and amplified requests for the radio station to apologize or face consequences.
Meanwhile, another significant controversy emerged surrounding actress Karla Sofia Gascon, who has been under scrutiny for resurfaced racist posts made on social media. Notably, Gascon, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film Emilia Pérez, had previously tweeted inflammatory remarks about how often BTS-related content appears online, using derogatory language to describe the group. One of her tweets read, "I’m fed up with the fact... I get 200 of the fcking Chinese BTS or 200 touching their dcks." Her inflammatory rhetoric sparked considerable outrage among BTS fans, known collectively as ARMY, who quickly mobilized to express their displeasure.
Gascon’s offending posts included derogatory comments about various demographics and cultural references. Her comments directed at Islam and the Black Lives Matter movement only exacerbated the criticism she faced. Following backlash and calls for accountability, Gascon issued a public apology acknowledging the harm her previous statements caused. She also decided to deactivate her social media accounts, providing herself space to reflect on the ramifications of her past behavior. She stated, "I acknowledge the harm caused by my words and will commit to personal growth."
The column of dissent didn't end solely with Gascon’s actions; Zoe Saldana, co-star of Gascon, publicly condemned her comments. Saldana stressed her disapproval of negative rhetoric toward any group, underscoring the importance of cultivating inclusivity and respect during their film's production.
With these two controversial incidents resurfacing almost simultaneously, they shine a significant light on the broader issues of accountability within media narratives surrounding artists and public figures. A call for introspection and responsibility can be heard, urging not just the creators but also media figures to treat artists with respect. Whether on air or on social media, delivering messages of positive regard is tantamount to fostering a supportive environment not only within the entertainment industry but society at large.