Simon Cowell's new band's remarks on BTS sparks controversy; ARMY comes out in support

The casual reference to BTS's live concert legend fueled the uproar. BTS's unprecedented Wembley Stadium sellouts in 2019 were more than just a marketing gimmick. They were the result of nearly a half-decade of tireless effort, years of grassroots fandom building, consistent touring, self-produced music, stories that connected across languages, and a steady rise from tiny venues to worldwide stages. Selling out Wembley twice was a cultural milestone for an Asian artist who primarily performed in Korea.

That background is exactly why the joke fell flat. Many fans saw it as a mocking of the hard work, danger, and endurance required for BTS to reach that level in an industry that rarely accommodated non-Western pop groups. The video has since been interpreted as a textbook example of ragebait, which is content designed to elicit outrage, increase interaction, and draw attention, particularly by poking one of the internet's most organised and vocal fandoms.

Fans slammed Simon and his band

Many fans believe the pattern is familiar. Outrage increases attention; insulting BTS almost ensures virality. Context is traded for clicks; December 10 has yet to produce music, yet a single statement has catapulted them into the global conversation map. While ragebait can increase short-term visibility, it often undermines long-term credibility if audiences detect cynicism or overconfidence.

Whether intentional or not, the moment demonstrates how quickly fandom emotion can be weaponised online, and how, in today's digital world, hype and hate are frequently two sides of the same coin. 

BTS is gearing up for their grand comeback in spring 2026. Time and again, RM, Jungkook and other BTS members have been hinting at how exciting their comeback album is going to be. Despite all the controversy and fear around the comeback, the bangtan is confident about their new album and their year long hard work.