Latest news with #HopeontheStageFinal
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
BTS members reunite for livestream, shares comeback plans
All seven members of BTS came together and reunited for a livestream! On Tuesday evening (PH time), the K-pop group went live on Weverse for the first time since taking a break for their mandatory military service. During their livestream, the boys mentioned targeting to release their new album and also go on tour in Spring 2026. It was in 2022 when BTS started focusing on their solo projects and began their South Korean mandatory military service. Suga was the final member of the group to be discharged. The seven members were all spotted during J-Hope's Hope on the Stage Final concert in Seoul, South Korea on June 13, which was also BTS' 12th anniversary. In March, BTS announced new projects: video and photobook "BTS 7 Moments" and board game "Run BTS Poly Highlight Package." —Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
BTS formally announces upcoming military discharge of Suga
Suga is almost here! BTS announced that Suga will very soon be discharged from his mandatory military service, where he served as a social work personnel. An announcement on the BTS Weverse page said that there are no special events planned on Suga's discharge day. The date was also not revealed. 'Overcrowding can pose safety risks, and we sincerely request our fans not to visit the sites in person. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts,' the announcement said. 'We are always grateful for your unwavering love and support for SUGA. Our company will continue to put our utmost effort into supporting our artists,' it added. Suga, who also goes by the name Agust D for his solo work, enlisted in the military in September 2023. He is the final member of BTS to be discharged. RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook were discharged this month. The seven members were all spotted during J-Hope's Hope on the Stage Final concert in Seoul, South Korea on June 13, which was also BTS' 12th anniversary. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
BTS' Jungkook sparks outrage with ‘Make Tokyo Great Again' hat, brand forced to apologise
BTS' Jungkook found himself at the center of a firestorm this week after a behind-the-scenes photo showed him wearing a cap that read 'Make Tokyo Great Again.' The image, snapped during rehearsals for J-Hope's Hope on the Stage Final at Goyang Sports Complex, triggered swift backlash in South Korea, where tensions over Japan's colonial past remain raw. The cap, produced by Japanese brand BASICKS, bore an uncanny resemblance to Donald Trump's MAGA slogan — a detail not lost on American fans either. In the U.S., where BTS has a massive following, many were quick to draw parallels to the divisive politics surrounding Trump's anti-immigrant policies, including those impacting Asian-American communities. BTS Jungkook seen wearing a 'Make Tokyo Great Again' caphttps:// — pannchoa (@pannchoa) June 13, 2025 Jungkook, just days after his military discharge, wasted no time responding. He posted an apology on Weverse, explaining that he discarded the hat immediately after realising its potential to offend. Adding fuel to the fire, BASICKS initially celebrated the controversy, boasting on Instagram about the cap selling out and even using Jungkook's image. Hours later, after facing mounting criticism from Korean netizens, the brand issued an apology. 'This design was not intended to convey any political stance; rather, it was an iconic way to express our hopes for a thriving Tokyo fashion scene,' they said, insisting no offense was meant. The incident also reignited scrutiny of HYBE's handling of scandals. Fans accused the agency of trying to deflect attention, pointing to the sudden resurfacing of old photos of NewJeans members, as tensions rise within HYBE's ranks.
Indian Express
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
BTS Jungkook's Make-Tokyo-Great-Again hat controversy forces brand to apologise after sell-out frenzy: ‘The design isn't political, but…'
BTS' Jungkook was discharged on June 12, and the first thing he did was to apologise for a controversial fashion choice. The youngest member of the South Korean band was seen rehearsing in a behind-the-scenes photo for J-Hope's 'Hope on the Stage Final' at Goyang Sports Complex, where he was set to perform a special segment. In the photo, the K-pop star was spotted wearing a black cap that read Make Tokyo Great Again. While it might have looked like a harmless fashion pick to global audience, in Korea, it triggered massive backlash given the painful history between Japan and South Korea. Riding the controversy, the brand behind the cap, which earlier scored free promo and saw the stock fly off shelves, was then forced to apologise and clarify that the design was never intended to be political. Also read: BTS' fans debate if Jungkook knew history before wearing Make Tokyo Great Again cap; K-pop star apologises for being 'careless' Jungkook wasted no time, penning a long note on Weverse before HYBE could step in, saying he had discarded the hat right away. However, soon after, the brand BASICKS behind the cap jumped on the free promo. Taking to their Instagram Stories, they boasted about being completely sold out, even using the Seven crooner's pic to ride the wave. But a few hours later, as Korean netizens fumed with anger, the Japanese brand was forced to release a statement. They apologised to anyone who felt uncomfortable but clarified they never meant for the design to be political. 'That said, we believe in the freedom to express ideas through fashion. This design was not intended to convey any political stance; rather, it was an iconic way to express our hopes for a thriving Tokyo fashion scene.' Meanwhile, Jungkook kept taking heat, and HYBE's attempt to handle the mess only made it worse. Fans called out the agency for trying to manipulate the media and divert attention from the controversy. Right after the hat drama blew up, NewJeans, another HYBE group under its subsidiary ADOR, got dragged into a separate mess. The five-member girl group is already locked in a lawsuit against the agency, seeking separation, making it clear things aren't smooth between them. Then, out of nowhere, old clubbing photos of Danielle and Haerin resurfaced. Some claimed HYBE deliberately leaked these pictures to shift the focus away from Jungkook's scandal. Also read: BTS' RM writes anniversary letter to ARMY, shares 'strange' feelings: 'I want to walk romantically with you all' Even in America, where K-pop and BTS enjoy a huge fanbase, the controversy didn't sit well as the cap echoed the same energy as Donald Trump's MAGA hat. Trump's administration is currently facing heavy scrutiny because of anti-immigrant policies, including those targeting Asian-Americans. In South Korea, the matter was even more sensitive, and it came just days after aespa member Karina got dragged into a similar mess. It is widely believed that Tokyo's governor, Yuriko Koike, who has been accused of holding anti-Korean views, once used similar wording.
GMA Network
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
BTS reunites at J-Hope's concert in Seoul
BTS was complete on their 12th anniversary! All seven members were present on the first day of J-Hope's Hope on the Stage Final concert on June 13, Friday. Held at the Goyang Sports Complex in South Korea, the show saw the six members posing for the cameras and also performing with J-Hope. RM, Suga, Jimin, and V were in the audience and were shown on screen, much to the delight of fans. Meanwhile, Jungkook performed his solo single 'Seven' onstage with J-Hope, as well as their collaboration, 'I Wonder.' Jin also treated ARMYs with a performance of 'Spring Day' with J-Hope. He also performed his solo song, 'Don't Say You Love Me.' The three members also got together to sing their 2019 song "Jamais Vu." The concert was also J-Hope's first time performing his latest single, 'Killin' It Girl.' The BTS members underwent mandatory military enlistment starting in 2022 and promised to reconvene as a group this year. Jin and J-Hope were the first members to be discharged in 2024. RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook were discharged this week, making Suga the only member still completing his service. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
