BigHit Music

On a Mexican TV broadcast, a panelist made remarks interpreted as belittling BTS and the BTS fandom, sparking controversy.

On the 4th (local time), the YouTube and Instagram accounts of Multimedios ‘Channel 6’ (Canal 6) in Mexico show that the entertainment program ‘Chismorreo’ (Spanish meaning gossip and tattle), which aired at the end of last month, included as one discussion topic public reaction to alleged unfairness in ticketing for the BTS World Tour Mexico City concert.

A video presented in report form outlined issues such as non-disclosure of the seating chart, an opaque fee structure, and indications of prearranged ticket resale, as well as an announcement of countermeasures by Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico. After watching it, the panelists said in effect that price increases at popular concerts are only to be expected.

In this segment, TV personality Luisa Fernanda said, “For example, the Shakira (a famous singer from Colombia) concert to be held in February also sold out,” and added, “Even while feeling exploited by expensive ticket prices, people show that level of judgment.” Another panelist, Fabian Lavalle, said, “If I had a 17-year-old daughter, I would make her do homework,” and, “This is not the time to be crying and wailing because of the concert of an unknown singer.” While he was speaking, BTS photos and videos were shown on the TV screen.

When the host tried to rein in the conversation by noting, “It is a dream for many children to see BTS in person,” Fernanda instead continued with a disparaging remark: “I guarantee that half the fans will try to go to the concert even though they did not even properly finish elementary school.”

Aired every weekday afternoon, the program is known, as its title suggests, for handling entertainment news in a sensational manner. In videos on other topics, the cast members also appear to seek attention with unfiltered speech and behavior. Even considering the nature of the show, local reaction largely held that the panelists crossed a line in speaking carelessly about BTS and its fans.

On major social media accounts of Mexican ‘ARMY’(ARMY·the name of the BTS fandom) and under clips of the broadcast, posts criticized the prejudice about educational background and the mockery of fans of an artist. Comments included, “It is a thousand times better that my daughter listens to BTS than songs by singers who hurl insults at women or songs about women crying in despair over men,” “a textbook example of envy toward a global artist,” and “a pure gossip program that contributes nothing positive to society.” BTS fans also posted verification of their education and professions, such as ‘holder of a master of tax law’, ‘surgeon’, and ‘biotechnologist’.

The BTS Mexico City concerts, which are generating wide discussion, are scheduled for May 7 and 9∼10.