Netizens were not impressed.
Koreaboo
1 hour ago
KATSEYE‘s recent speech at the AMAs, in which they mentioned BTS, has sparked major backlash among netizens.
The members of KATSEYE (Manon is on hiatus)
On May 25 (local time), KATSEYE attended the American Music Awards.
This is not a drill, EYEKONS 🚨 @katseyeworld has officially made their #AMAs red carpet debut! pic.twitter.com/1sV4QkfGYZ
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) May 25, 2026
KATSEYE picked up the award for “New Artist of the Year.”
Your #AMAs New Artist of the Year is… @katseyeworld! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/oIxI4oolXD
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) May 26, 2026
During their speech, KATSEYE thanked BTS, who were also in attendance, with Sophia adding, “for inspiring us to represent our cultures.”
KATSEYE shouts out BTS for “inspiring us to represent our culture on a global scale” after winning Best New Artist at the #AMAs.
(via CBS) pic.twitter.com/cDltrqc971
— Variety (@Variety) May 26, 2026
Yet, when the speech was posted, it sparked huge backlash towards the members. While some claimed that HYBE had made them say this, some hit back at the part about culture due to the uncertainty surrounding Manon and her hiatus. Many also hit back at them, mentioning BTS but not mentioning Manon, making them think that rumors about the idol leaving might be true.
western girl group giving a shoutout to a korean boy band on the “American Music Awards” stage before mentioning their “sister” forced on hiatus 😭 https://t.co/ZevKgEppaS
— big ceo (@korysverse) May 26, 2026
I fw bts but it’s crazy how they shouted them out & not they “sister” it coulda been a quick “we love u Manon” or “let’s hear it for Manon” 😃 hope she is leaving the group cause we’re lowk tired of this https://t.co/EYvI2VXKCJ
— unknown.com (@QuaSTAYot8) May 26, 2026
what correlation does a kpop boy group have with a so-called western girl group 😭 https://t.co/kfr6xB25rd pic.twitter.com/h5K5JTtdVa
— ☆ꕤ｡˚ (@jencoholic) May 26, 2026
“represent our culture on a global scale” and y’all kick the only black member out dpmo https://t.co/KZS1b2DZdg
— Pikachu (@quarrelpinks) May 26, 2026
the hybe scriptwriter crediting their success to a group of 7 incels ouuu thats not… https://t.co/ZQUP5XFEW3
— dustín 🖤 (@donotstin) May 26, 2026
HYBE had them memorising that script daily for the last week https://t.co/v4kMqKt7hc
— BLACKMAMBA (@THEOGBLACKMAMBA) May 26, 2026