BTS’ RM faced criticism from some fans after sharing photos of concertgoers holding messages expressing their support for him. On August 26, 2026, RM shared several photos of the audience from BTS’ ongoing ARIRANG world tour on his Instagram Stories. Some images showed female fans holding banners and signs with messages such as “I♡RM.”
While the posts appeared to highlight the support RM has received from fans attending the tour, some followers interpreted them differently because of the criticism currently directed toward the BTS members. RM’s concert photos draw criticism amid ongoing discussion surrounding his and j-hope’s recent appearance at a concert featuring Chris Brown. The controversy began after RM and j-hope attended a joint concert by Usher and Chris Brown in Canada on August 13. j-hope shared clips from the event that showed the two members watching the performances and dancing during Brown’s performance of Look at Me Now.
Photos of RM and j-hope with Brown and Usher later circulated online after the artists shared them. Brown posted a backstage photograph with the BTS members, while Usher also shared additional footage from backstage. In one clip, RM could be heard complimenting the performance.
Their appearance sparked debate among BTS fans because of Brown’s controversial history. In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault involving his then-girlfriend Rihanna. His career has since continued to be accompanied by allegations and legal controversies, including allegations of s**ual assault, which he has denied.
The response within the BTS fandom was divided. Some fans argued that attending a concert or taking photographs with an artist does not automatically mean endorsing everything associated with that person’s past. Others criticized RM and j-hope for publicly interacting with Brown despite his history.
As the discussion continued, some fans expected RM and j-hope to acknowledge the criticism. Neither member has publicly addressed the controversy, while both have continued sharing regular content connected to BTS’ ongoing tour.
Amidst this, RM’s decision to share photos of fans holding supportive messages was interpreted negatively by some followers. Critics felt the posts could be perceived as emphasizing the support RM receives from concert attendees while overlooking fans who have raised concerns online.
Some also viewed the posts as suggesting that those criticizing the members were merely “haters,” rather than fans expressing genuine disappointment. They felt their concerns were being dismissed by the continued focus on positive fan messages instead of addressing the controversy itself. One fan simply questioned,
“like we’re not hating on you, why are you acting like we’re haters???”
Some fans accused RM of highlighting supportive ARMYs in a way that could overshadow ongoing criticism. They argued that showcasing positive messages instead of addressing the concerns risked creating a narrative where RM was being unfairly targeted, rather than acknowledging why fans were upset.
Others expressed disappointment with RM, saying his recent actions felt inconsistent with the maturity they had associated with him. Some said it was particularly painful as longtime supporters and argued that the support he receives from women should not prevent him from recognizing why his actions have upset other women.
BTS resumes ARIRANG World Tour in Chicago amid ongoing debate surrounding RM and j-hope
BTS is moving forward with its ARIRANG World Tour after wrapping up the Toronto leg, with the group now preparing for its next North American stops. The septet is scheduled to take the stage in Chicago on August 27 and 28, 2026. The first show will take place at Rogers Stadium, before the group performs at Soldier Field the following day.
Following Chicago, BTS will travel to Los Angeles for four more North American concerts at SoFi Stadium. The scheduled dates are September 1, 2, 5 and 6. The tour is expected to continue across Latin America in October, with Bogotá, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and São Paulo included in the announced schedule.
At the same time, the online debate involving RM and j-hope has continued. The discussion stems from their August 13 attendance at a concert featuring Usher and Chris Brown, where the two members were seen enjoying the performances and later appeared in photos and footage with the artists.
Fans remain divided over the appearance, with some defending the members’ attendance while others have criticized their interactions with Brown in light of his past controversies.
Neither RM nor j-hope has directly addressed the criticism so far, and BTS has continued with its tour activities amid the ongoing discussion.
Edited by Adrija Chakraborty
