The hat has since sold out.
Even after apologizing and disposing of his “Make Tokyo Great Again” (MTGA) hat, BTS Jungkook continues to face backlash as the hat brand, Basicks Japan, celebrates the hat selling out.
The recently discharged idol was spotted wearing the hat at rehearsal for J-Hope‘s concert in Seoul. Given the political climate surrounding US President Trump (behind the original “Make America Great Again” phrasing) and the complicated relationship South Korea has with Japan, which is deeply rooted in history, he inevitably sparked some intense reactions.
BTS’s Jungkook Apologizes After Sparking Controversy With Japan “MAGA” Hat
Following, Jungkook apologized and claimed that he got rid of the hat. But the hat brand is not missing out on the superstar idol’s “free promo.” The brand’s Instagram shared Stories updates showing Jungkook in the hat and screenshots of the hat being sold out.
The official Basicks website also shows the MTGA hat being sold out in both colors:
Korean fans remain flabbergasted at the hat, expressing disappointment toward the idol for making careless decisions despite the size and level of influence he has.
- “I like Jungkook, but he really needs to consider where he stands… With all the celebrity scandals lately, ignorance is definitely a fault too. He has massive influence. He should be more careful.”
- “I got chills the moment I saw that hat’s message. There is only so much that could be blamed on being uneducated. How can you not know what that simple phrase means as a Korean? It’s embarrassing to call him a Korean star. Just go to Japan and be a Japanese singer.”
- “Did he really think this wouldn’t be an issue..? He really can go about his day, not using his brain at all…? At that level, he deserves the criticism.”
- “The words are literally make, Tokyo, great, and again. Don’t even try telling me that maybe he didn’t read it before buying. That’s such a sorry excuse.”
- “Disappointed, disappointed, seriously disappointed.”
- “Straight out of the military, too. Like, did he really want to wear a hat with that kind of message? I used to like Jungkook, but this is disappointing.”
International fans, across online platforms like Reddit, have also noted that wearing a hat using Trump’s phrase while Trump is devastating immigrant Americans (including Asian/Korean Americans) in Los Angeles and across the United States is simply “disgusting.”
Jungkook wearing the MAGA parody slogan“Make Tokyo Great Again” hat is really disgusting considering the times we are in.
byu/Bubbly-Age-9363 inkpopnoir
Comment
byu/Bubbly-Age-9363 from discussion
inkpopnoir
Comment
byu/Bubbly-Age-9363 from discussion
inkpopnoir
Comment
byu/Bubbly-Age-9363 from discussion
inkpopnoir
Comment
byu/Bubbly-Age-9363 from discussion
inkpopnoir
As of late, more K-Pop idols have found themselves facing the heat after making “political” fashion choices. Read more about aespa‘s Karina who has done some serious damage to her reputation after wearing red before the South Korean presidential election and getting dubbed “MAGArina.”
aespa Karina’s Shocking Viral Nickname Sparks Ruthless Comments From Korean Netizens