An unexpected moment during BTS member J-Hope‘s recent live broadcast has triggered fierce backlash from ARMYs.
J-Hope | @uarmyhope/Instagram
On February 18, KST, the BTS member held an hour-long live broadcast on Weverse to celebrate his birthday with fans.
During the broadcast, J-Hope kept interacting with fans, answering questions about BTS’s upcoming album and sharing updates on his life. While reading out some of the live comments, J-Hope came across a fan’s grievance about BTS’s new lightstick.
The fan complained that they had used the previous version of “ARMY Bomb” only three times and asked J-Hope to request that the company not retire it. This complaint came against the backdrop of BIGHIT MUSIC’s recent announcement that only the newest version of the lightstick will support the wireless control feature starting from BTS’s Busan concert in June.
BTS’s Latest Light Stick Announcement Triggers Massive Backlash
J-Hope responded to the fan with a diplomatic answer, pointing out that specific practical considerations had to be made for the sake of the concert.
🐿️ “I only got to use the previous ARMY bomb 3 times. Can you tell them to not pull it from the system?”
🐿️ I did hear that things got changed. It’s too bad. Lightsticks themselves have an effect on the concert and they’ve become like fireworks or fire, so I think maybe they…
— christa⁷ 💜🐿️🎂 아리랑 (@ryuminating) February 18, 2026
Though the BTS member handled this unexpected moment with grace, fans were not too happy about it. Many felt it was disrespectful to complain during a member’s birthday livestream, especially about matters beyond his control.
disrespectfully, fck you. If you have a problem, contact the label, but stop complaining in his live. These decisions aren’t his responsibility. https://t.co/OO8SNbebcz
— j-hope Hungary 🇭🇺 (@jhopehungary) February 19, 2026
why are yall complaining to them about this especially on a birthday live… this isnt even in their hands mind you https://t.co/LnLLPz9uJO pic.twitter.com/pEeLIVFtCN
— ely⁷⭐️ IS SEEING BTS (@taekuv) February 18, 2026
i understand the frustration around the army bomb, but what would possess you to bring this up to bts? hobi handled this with grace, but he (or any other member) are not customer service workers who you can complain to, esp not about something that is already decided https://t.co/rLh5Lq3yUZ
— July⁷ IS SEEING BTS ♡ HOBI DAY ♡ ARIRANG ⊙⊝⊜ (@SHjiminah) February 18, 2026
dude cant believe somebody is making hobi explain about the new army bomb on his birthday live! THERE’S A LIMIT!
— nims | ㉧㉣㉣ (@anadorablerep) February 18, 2026
However, some also found the question valid and praised J-Hope for addressing the topic head-on.
i think it’s a reasonable question to ask why do y’all get triggered on this stuff, it’s not even criticism it’s a gen concern https://t.co/CZmqRZb71b
— ro⁷ 💛 (@roromiey) February 19, 2026
the fact that he acknowledge this… my best boy in the entire world https://t.co/axvZ3KGDSR
— hokyung⁷ D-DAY (@hokyoongi) February 18, 2026
What do you think? Did the fan cross a line?
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