Latest news with #MakeTokyoGreatAgain
Economic Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Recap on the trendy messaging accessory
Once upon a time, the baseball cap was a humble shade-provider, shielding foreheads from the sun and bad hair days. Twice upon a time, it was a style statement, made by anyone from rappers wearing it ulta to Kareena Kapoor. Third time around, thanks to Style-Bhai Don , the cap is the new t-shirt: portable message board. No longer confined to MAGA fashionistas, messages like 'I'm with Stupid' and 'World's Okayest Brother' are all the rage now on a curved brim. The cap has become the canvas of choice for manifestos, endorsements, and that blend of irony and sincerity only achievable in headgear. Trump wore a white variant with his favourite slogan at the G7 summit this week - only to be capped by Steven Crowchild of the indigenous Tsuut'ina First Nation with his resplendent feathered t-shirts, caps don't wrinkle when you flex your beliefs. Although they may get you in a tangle, as it did K-pop singer Jungkook when he had to issue a public apology last week in Japan for wearing a cap with the words, 'Make Tokyo Great Again', a phrase frowned upon because of its use by far-right Japanese figures. Cap messaging should reach new heights with 'Make Baseball Caps Boring Again', or that favourite of fashion-forward nihilists, 'Meh'. Who knows what would have happened with caps bearing 'Simon, Go Back!' and 'Talk Less, Work More'.
Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘BTS' Jungkook's impulsive decisions caused me anxiety and hair loss': Tattoo artist reveals the singer hid his ink out of embarrassment
BTS' Jungkook has been causing quite a stir among the fandom after fans spotted a sneak peek of his new chest tattoo, with grand revelations expected any time soon. The golden maknae's tattoos, especially the ones covering his sleeves, have always intrigued fans for their deep meanings and uniqueness. But what barely anyone knew is just how much pressure it put on his tattoo artist, who earlier Tuesday dropped a long note, opening up about his journey with Jungkook, and the anxiety that came with tattooing someone whose influence cuts across borders. Artist POLYC revealed how Jungkook once felt so self-conscious about his inked arms, he wouldn't even wear short sleeves in the middle of summer. The note has since gained attention online, with many fans heartbroken to hear how much he quietly struggled. Also read: BTS' fans debate if Jungkook knew history before wearing Make Tokyo Great Again cap; K-pop star apologises for being 'careless' There was a time when the youngest member of the K-pop band had pledged he would never torture his skin with ink. But later, Jungkook ended up being the only one from the septet who gave in to his unexpected love for tattoos, a move that even drew flak in the early days. When POLYC first met him, he said the singer came off shy, embarrassed and awkward about the whole thing. That's when the two came up with the 'Short-Sleeve in Summer Project', a mission to make Jungkook feel good about wearing short sleeves again. POLYC explained that many of Jungkook's earlier tattoos were done impulsively. Fixing them, he said, was far from how simple it looked in pictures. He recalled telling him, 'We're in a position of great influence. I hope you'll be more thoughtful about future tattoos. Many young people look up to you and may follow your choices.' Reviving the earlier work wasn't easy. In reality, the damage ran deeper, and covering it up came with serious limits, like having to reinvent entire designs and keep the meaning intact. Trying to make something meaningful and aesthetic out of flawed ink took a toll on the artist's mental health and even led to stress-related hair loss. So, he made a suggestion: 'Your current black-and-grey sleeve is something we see all the time. Why not go for something more vibrant, more unique—something that really fits who you are as JK? It might not be everyone's taste, but you're not like everyone, ssa.' Jungkook agreed. Also read: BTS' V says he can't tolerate 'person with childish behaviour' now: What Taehyung's changed personality after military discharge reveals POLYC also opened up about the pressure he felt from being in the public eye. Given BTS's popularity, and especially Jungkook's among the youth, some might assume he was using the name for clout or marketing. But in reality, he said he felt a huge sense of responsibility to deliver the best work of his life. 'We completed around 70% of the work before he enlisted, and we're still continuing the process as his busy schedule allows. Throughout this journey, I kept imagining him on stage with the tattoos I created, always thinking of what would suit him best. And now, he's finally able to wear short sleeves with confidence—that makes me truly happy.' Ending the note, the artist said the tattoo style might not be everyone's cup of tea, but in the end, what mattered was the result and the uniqueness. He poured 13 years of experience, skill, and heart into the project and feels proud of how far they've come. He signed off, saying he only shared these details because there had been too many questions floating around about JK's tattoos.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jungkook's new era: From solo tour to sophomore album, here's what's reportedly on BTS star's agenda post-military discharge
BTS's golden maknae, Jungkook, has been making waves just days after his discharge from the South Korean military. Multiple fan accounts have noted that the singer was recently spotted flying to the US, sparking speculation about his packed upcoming schedule. While there's been no official confirmation from BigHit Entertainment, fan sources suggest Jungkook is currently in the States for several major projects, including a new Calvin Klein campaign and preparations for his highly anticipated sophomore album. Jungkook's new era loading: album, concerts, and creative control According to widely shared fan posts, Jungkook is not just modelling for Calvin Klein's fall collection but also finalising solo concert dates. On top of that, he's reportedly working on his branding and visual identity under new management. The most exciting bit? His sophomore album is in the works. Fans believe he's working with the same two producers behind his maiden album, GOLDEN, and also contributing creatively himself. For ARMY, that means more personal, introspective music and possibly genre blends that only Jungkook can pull off. BTS star to juggle a busy schedule As per fans tracking his activities, Jungkook's calendar is currently stacked. From music video shoots to potential global performances and collaborations, it looks like he'll be bouncing between continents all year. There's even talk that he's locking down major international appearances. It's definitely a far cry from the quiet life of military enlistment, but with his recent takeover at J-Hope's solo concert, Jungkook seems more than ready to hit the ground running. Brief controversy: the 'Make Tokyo Great Again' moment The singer recently drew criticism after being photographed in a hat with the slogan 'Make Tokyo Great Again' during rehearsals of J-Hope's concert finale in Seoul. The phrase, a twist on a politically loaded line, raised eyebrows online. Jungkook was quick to respond to the criticism and quickly posted a heartfelt apology on Weverse, saying he didn't know the historical and political relevance of the phrase but assured fans that the hat has been disposed of. A BTS reunion on the horizon While the SEVEN singer is deep into his solo hustle, BTS are gearing up for their much-awaited group reunion. With only SUGA left to complete his military service, just three days away from finishing, fans are hopeful that all seven will be together again soon. Whether it's for new music, content, or a massive comeback stage, the energy around a full-group return is starting to build, and ARMYs are counting down days to it. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Tokyo Weekender
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
BTS Member Jungkook Apologizes for ‘Make Tokyo Great Again' Hat
On June 13 , freshly discharged from his mandatory military service, BTS's Jungkook found himself at the center of an international controversy after images surfaced of him wearing a black cap during rehearsals for fellow member J-Hope's concert in Seoul. His reappearance, post-military, should have been a celebratory moment. Instead, it turned into a PR headache with geopolitical undertones. Because perched on Jungkook's head, in stark white lettering across a black cap, were four words that cracked open the calm: Make Tokyo Great Again. The phrase was instantly recognizable as a riff on 'Make America Great Again,' the campaign slogan of U.S. President Donald Trump. MAGA: four letters now inseparable from nationalism, xenophobia and white grievance politics in the American psyche. In Japan, the echoes are different but still fraught. Variants like 'Make Tokyo Great Again' have occasionally surfaced in nationalist and imperialist circles online, particularly among those with anti-Korean leanings. Even Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko was photographed in 2017 wearing a towel emblazoned with the same phrase during her re-election campaign, cloaking right-wing sentiment in optimistic city branding. Which brings us back to Jungkook — a South Korean idol, hailed by many as a symbol of national pride. And there he was, wearing a hat tied, however obliquely, to ideologies that many Koreans see as fraught with historical tension and national trauma. The reaction from Korean fans and netizens was swift and cutting. Many felt it wasn't a knowing political statement. 'I honestly think Jungkook wore it without knowing,' wrote one fan. That didn't absolve him, though. The fan continued, 'Even if he didn't know, it was still wrong. There's no excuse.' Others wondered why no one on his team— no stylist, no manager, no intern with basic Internet service — flagged the phrase. One user dryly asked , 'Not a single staff member stopped this?' Jungkook, for his part, responded quickly. In a post on the fan platform Weverse in the early hours of June 14, he apologized unequivocally . He admitted he had not been aware of the phrase's historical or political implications and took full responsibility, stating the hat had been immediately discarded. The brand behind the cap, Basicks Japan, also weighed in. In an Instagram Story, they wrote: 'We sincerely apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable. That said, we believe in the freedom to express ideas through fashion. This design was not intended to convey any political stance. It was rather an iconic way to express our hopes for a thriving Tokyo fashion scene.' A neutral enough explanation — fashion as hope, not history — but the damage was done. The hat promptly sold out, of course. One Japanese Twitter user quipped they had assumed it was just a tacky foreigner-joke item sold in touristy Asakusa until they saw the exorbitant price tag. It would be easy to dismiss the whole thing as a minor fashion misstep, overinflated by the internet's endless appetite for drama. And in some ways, that's exactly what it was. A four–word slogan, a black cap, a moment of unawareness — hardly the stuff of international scandal. But then again: a hat isn't just a hat. Symbols are not inert. They carry weight, especially when they've crossed oceans and centuries. And such heavy context can't be erased or ignored, no matter what the designer's purported intention might have been.
South China Morning Post
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
BTS' Jungkook apologises for wearing ‘Make Tokyo Great Again' hat after fan backlash
Jungkook, a member of the K-pop supergroup BTS , has issued a public apology after coming under fire from fans for wearing a cap with the slogan 'Make Tokyo Great Again', a phrase criticised for invoking painful memories of Japan 's colonial rule over Korea. The 27-year-old K-pop star, who recently completed his compulsory military service in South Korea , was wearing the hat on Friday when he made a surprise appearance at rehearsals for the final performance of fellow BTS member J-Hope's world tour in Goyang, according to the KoreaWave news website. To many fans, the slogan – a play on former US President Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' campaign message, which has long been linked to nationalist sentiment – evoked bitter memories of Japan's colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945. 'I think this is JK expressing what he actually feels to Korea and Koreans without saying anything,' an irate user posted on the allkpop website. 'I wouldn't be surprised if he renounces his Korean citizenship and decides to domicile elsewhere, and South Korea will lose his tax revenue forever.' Another added, 'Straight from coming out of the military and wearing an anti-Korean, right-wing hat is an interesting choice, to say the least.' BTS members Jungkook and Jimin salute at a sporting facility in Yeoncheon on June 11, shortly after completing their 18-month mandatory military service. Photo: AFP Yet another post read, 'He bought that stuff not knowing what it was? Wasn't he in the military? How does he have such a lack of basic political and historical issues that concern his country? It's the history of Japanese imperialist right-wing oppression.'
