Designer Lee Jeong-woo, actor Jun Ji-hyun's mother-in-law, addressed the controversy that she disparaged BTS members, saying it was "an expression of fandom quoting the members' jokes."
On the 23rd, Lee said on her social media that as a "10-year ARMY (BTS fandom)," she would not criticize the team she supports, denying any intent to demean.
The controversy stemmed from a post Lee uploaded on the 21st, in which she shared a video of BTS's comeback performance "ARIRANG" at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul. At the time, she wrote, "A leader who speaks English and kids who can't speak English even after 10 years. Still love you all."
As the post spread through online communities, some internet users criticized it as "a careless expression that belittles global artists." As the backlash grew, Lee moved to contain the situation with an additional post on the 23rd.
Lee said, "I posted it with a laugh after watching the members banter good-naturedly on Weverse Live," adding, "There is no reason to criticize a team that has returned with a flawless album after 3 years and 9 months."
She added, "I am neither someone who speaks English well nor in a position to judge others' skills," and, "I have long been retired, just an ordinary person. Is it impossible for an ordinary person, just one among 8,480,000,000, to enjoy being a fan without worry?"
Lee is the mother of Choi Jun-hyuk, CEO of Alpha Asset Management and the husband of Jun Ji-hyun. She is the daughter of the late designer Lee Young-hee, who spearheaded the globalization of hanbok.