The dream stage turns into a nightmare

Controversy over fan discrimination arose during BTS's secret performance ahead of their appearance on NBC's 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'. The performance, held at the Guggenheim Museum in New York on March 25 (local time), was held with about 150 fans in attendance, but there has been strong criticism surrounding the way the venue was operated.

According to related reports, BTS performed two songs, 'SWIM' and '2.0', from their new 'ARIRANG' album on this day. However, while the use of cell phones was prohibited at the concert hall, the controversy spread as fans exposed the situation through social media after the performance.

Why were the fans angry?

According to fans' testimonies, only a portion of the total fans who traveled from the NBC studio to the museum were able to see BTS' actual performance in person. It is said that the remaining fans had to wait in a separate space for several hours, and because they had returned their cell phones, they had to wait without any sense of time.

In particular, the core of the criticism is that the criteria for selecting those to directly watch the performance were unclear. One fan complained on social media, "It seems like the staff judged who was worthy of seeing it based on appearance," and "They separated the audience even though there was plenty of space."

Another problem was pointed out was that the location of the concert venue was not known in advance, so fans had to arrange their own transportation home after the performance. Feelings of betrayal and frustration erupted among fans who took time off from work or school and traveled long distances for this performance.

Even allegations of racist remarks

The controversy did not stop there. It was alleged that one of the staff members in charge of conducting the scene said, "Which of them is from North Korea?" The remark was perceived as a racist joke and caused outrage from fans.

On social media, one fan strongly criticized the production team's behavior, saying, "Jimmy Fallon, I'm so disappointed." There are evaluations that this incident has changed expectations of appearing on broadcasts into distrust and anger within the fan community.

BTS' 'The Tonight Show' interview and first Guggenheim performance video were aired on NBC at 11:35 pm (local time) on March 25, and the second performance video is scheduled to be aired on March 26.