Jungkook’s MAGA Hat Controversy: A Lesson in Global Celebrity Responsibility
On the early morning of June 14, Jungkook posted on the fan communication platform Weverse: “I sincerely apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience caused to many people by the phrase on the hat I wore during rehearsals today. I deeply regret the disappointment and hurt caused by my failure to thoroughly check the historical and political significance of the phrase. There is no excuse, regardless of the reason. I was inadequate and careless.” He added, “The hat was immediately disposed of.”
The previous day, Jungkook had performed at J-Hope’s world tour encore concert held at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. This marked his first stage appearance since his military discharge on June 11, drawing significant attention. However, controversy arose when a hat he wore during the rehearsal stage bore the phrase “Make Tokyo Great Again.” This slogan, derived from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, is considered a politically charged phrase.
Netizens criticized the phrase, claiming it is used by Japanese far-right groups and glorifies Japan’s colonial rule. They pointed out that a K-pop star with global influence should have been more cautious about the symbolic implications.
Jungkook’s small misstep led to blame directed at his stylists and managers, escalating into an international issue. In fact, Japanese far-right communities celebrated, noting, “Even BTS’s Jungkook used this phrase.” In South Korea, far-right communities also attempted to exploit the situation politically, sharing images of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was impeached for causing a martial law crisis, wearing a hat with the phrase “Make Korea Great Again.”
Moreover, ironically, the hat, priced at 13,200 yen (approximately 125,300 KRW), sold out, adding a bitter note to the controversy. This incident serves as a case study highlighting the significant political and cultural impact of a global star’s small action and the negative influence of fandom consumption.
