BTS fans, known as ARMY, quickly took to social media to express their displeasure with the Paris Gala organizers after they reportedly disrespected J-Hope, one of the group’s most beloved members.
On January 23, J-Hope (real name Jung Ho-Seok) attended the Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes, an event organized by France’s First Lady. He was invited to open the show, and he performed alongside other K-pop stars such as Rose from BLACKPINK and G-Dragon from BIGBANG. During the event, J-Hope received an outpouring of support from fans, with many filling the arena with purple light sticks in his honor.
However, after the performance, fans noticed something troubling—J-Hope’s name was mysteriously omitted from the performer’s list multiple times. The absence of his name sparked anger among ARMY, who felt disrespected by the organizers’ actions. Fans took to social media to voice their frustrations, leading to widespread criticism of the event.
In the wake of the backlash, the Paris Gala organizers swiftly made changes to their social media posts and official content. They updated their videos to refer to J-Hope as “King of K-pop,” a title that many fans believe he deserves. This shift in tone left fans stunned, as the organizers had initially downplayed his role in the event.
One fan noted the drastic change in the organizers’ approach: “They went from barely acknowledging him during the event to placing his name and photo first in every new post,” they wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another fan expressed their approval of the revised introduction, saying, “King of K-pop, J-Hope of BTS—just as it should be.”
Many others criticized the organizers for their inconsistency, accusing them of only acknowledging their mistake after facing significant public backlash. “Such double standards,” one fan remarked. “Once they found themselves in hot water, they didn’t hesitate to correct their mistake and give J-Hope the recognition he deserved.”
This event held special significance for J-Hope as it marked his first major public appearance and solo performance since completing his mandatory military service in October 2023. Fans were disappointed that such an important moment for the artist was marred by the Gala’s initial lack of respect.
