A large number of fans were infuriated.
13 minutes ago
BTS finally made their much-awaited comeback with ARIRANG on March 20, KST. However, within hours of the release, the album has gotten caught up in multiple controversies.
BTS | HYBE
As is customary for every BTS release, the group held a livestream when ARIRANG released and communicated with fans about the album, including the creative process that went into making the record.
| @BTS/YouTube
During this broadcast, the group discussed how the album reflected the personal touch of all the members, noting that Jin couldn’t contribute much due to his solo promotion schedule. RM said that he could have participated more extensively had his solo tour wrapped up a little earlier. V, however, stated that it wasn’t the lack of time but Jin’s health condition after the tour that stopped him from participating much. Jimin and Jungkook proceeded to praise Jin for holding down the fort with his solo promotions while the members were away for their military service. Jin wrapped up the conversation with a straight face, saying, “I’m glad that we put out great songs.”
[BTS arirang live] 260320
🐿️It seems like the songs were included because everyone worked on them in different ways.
🐤Each person participated, but the styles were very different. Everyone’s color really shows.
🐨Jin hyung probably could have done it too if his tour had… pic.twitter.com/5ay6EJ4sfG
— star_jin (@nightstar1201) March 20, 2026
This clip has sparked major fury among fans, who felt that in this particular moment, Jin was being blamed for focusing on his solo promotions.
the way his face changed..
anyways, i’m so glad seokjin chose himself & went on a successful solo tour. pic.twitter.com/40R18dFLsn
— ⁷ (@onlyforseokjini) March 20, 2026
Blaming him for doing solo tour also they didn’t even let him speak his face says it all. Like what the actual fck is this??pic.twitter.com/7sRr2ozaY0
— nini (@ninibakerrry) March 20, 2026
do they realize it’s reflecting so bad on them too when they keep speaking of his tour this way? like some of the statements straight up come off so jealous lol and it’s ugly https://t.co/wbJqVBbno4
— Seokjin’s Molemate • DSYLMto1B (@jinsneckmole) March 20, 2026
Others were simply confused about why BTS’s group album couldn’t be pushed back a bit more to accommodate Jin’s solo schedule, which was possibly curated way before the comeback plans.
Ok so Don’t cancel me coz I’m not a solo but if it was a time thing why couldn’t they just wait?
Like if they all said we’re not doing this without him everyone would literally have to fall in line…. What was the rush? why didn’t they wait? https://t.co/5jJ2cBm2q1
— DSYLMto1B🚨Seokjin’sChocolateCake⁷ (@GreySheryce) March 20, 2026
Assholes. Jin delayed his enlistment for them but they could not wait for him. Sasama ng mga ugali. Ayan tuloy, pangit ng album https://t.co/tM3euLUuGM
— lyra2.0 (@lyra_starling02) March 20, 2026
I understand what they said, but I can’t help feeling that things could have been handled differently. If they truly see themselves as a family, they could have waited for Seokjin to finish his tour and recover properly. He’s always shown patience and consideration for the group
— 🌻 (@lianesvn) March 20, 2026
However, many fans defended the BTS members, arguing that the clip was being misinterpreted.
but Jin wasn’t well. If anything, Taehyung was defending Jin. Had he stayed silent, the implication would have been that Jin’s tour alone was the reason & that would have placed unfair blame on Jin. Jin himself is not someone who would openly talk about his illness like that+
— 🦋 (@Winterberry0430) March 20, 2026
they were basically saying that if seokjin came a bit earlier he would have been able to contribute a bit more to this, they agreed he worked hard and jungkook was comforting him with small gestures, that was so sweet 🙁 pic.twitter.com/vQ8HvlwXEV
— jk.97 (@jeonIves) March 20, 2026
“if jin completed his tour earlier, he could have worked with us”
“yes, but he wasn’t feeling well since he was on tour”
“jin went through a lot”
“thanks to you, you protected our team”
anyway, fuck all solos 🥰 pic.twitter.com/R8N4HfULJx
— reading⁷ (@agustdreads) March 20, 2026
Atp yall r mad over anything & everything. How is saying that ‘Jin could have contributed ‘more’ if he had completed his solo tour earlier but as he was sick he couldn’t finish sooner’ rude from any angle??
H#gs r mad over a general, harmless statement.
What an Unprofessional fb! https://t.co/x5uikY8Na1
— vantephilia thꪜ (@ciuineastae) March 20, 2026
Meanwhile, ARIRANG‘s line distribution has also caused a rift among fans on social media.
BTS’s Line Distribution For “ARIRANG” Incites Major Fury
BTS