K-pop sensation BTS is under fire from some fans following the appearance of two members alongside controversial American artist Chris Brown at his Toronto performance on Wednesday. J-Hope (Jung Ho-seok) and RM (Kim Nam-joon) were spotted at Rogers Stadium attending Brown’s show, which he co-headlined with Usher.
The group is set to take the same stage for their performances on August 22 and August 23. In an Instagram post by Brown, J-Hope and RM were seen posing with the singer and also captured on video dancing and singing along during the event.
Chris Brown, known for his troubled past, has a criminal record dating back to 2009 when he was convicted of assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna. He has faced numerous legal issues since then, including a jail term in 2014 and a recent guilty plea for assaulting a producer in a London nightclub.
Despite the divided reactions from BTS’s ARMY fanbase, with some expressing disappointment over the members’ association with Brown, others have defended J-Hope and RM. Speculations and debates have ensued online, with some pointing out that the duo may have been present at the show primarily to see Usher, not necessarily endorsing Brown’s controversial history.
While the controversy continues to stir discussions, representatives for BTS have not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter.