A guest on a Mexican TV program is being widely criticized locally for remarks that appeared to belittle the group BTS and their fandom ARMY.
On the 4th (local time), according to the YouTube and SNS account of Multimedios' Channel 6, the entertainment program Chismoreo, which aired late last month, showed panelists discussing the sold-out ticket phenomenon surrounding BTS's world tour performance in Mexico City.
One panelist, Luisa Fernanda, cited Shakira's concert as an example and said, "They fall for the high prices and keep going back. People's judgment is only that good."
During the discussion about BTS's concert, another panelist, Fabián Labaye, said, "If I had a 17-year-old daughter, I would forbid her from going to the concert and make her stay home and do her homework," and added, "This is not the time to be crying and making a scene over an unknown singer's concert."
The host tried to restrain the remarks, saying, "For many kids, seeing BTS in person is a dream," but Fernanda disparaged fans, saying, "I guarantee half of the fans didn't even finish elementary school but want to go to the concert," which sparked controversy.
The program is known for covering entertainment news in a sensational manner, and after the broadcast, local fans and numerous internet users raised critical voices, saying "they crossed the line." Fans also verified their professions and academic qualifications, such as lawyers, doctors, engineers, biotechnologists, and master's and doctoral degrees.
Contrary to the remarks on the program, it was reported that the Mexican president, in response to BTS's quickly sold-out Mexico shows, requested additional show allocations from President Lee Jae-myung of Korea.
According to several foreign news reports last month, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico said at a regular press conference, "BTS is a globally popular K-pop artist. I heard that many young people could not get tickets for the concerts held in Mexico in May."
President Sheinbaum said, "About 1 million young people want to buy tickets, but only 150,000 tickets are currently available," and said she had sent a diplomatic letter to Korea's President Lee Jae-myung to seek an expansion of the performances.
She added, "I have not yet received a response, but I hope for a positive reply or that alternatives such as screen screenings will be allowed."
Meanwhile, BTS's world tour opens on April 9 at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium. After that, they will perform on April 17 at Tokyo Dome in Japan and then hold 82 shows in 34 cities across North America, Europe, South America and Asia. This is the largest number of shows for a single tour by a K-pop artist.
Among them, BTS is scheduled to perform at Mexico City's GNP Seguros Stadium on May 7, 9 and 10.
[Photo] BigHit Music
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