“We just wanted to clear the air.”
Fresh off their three American Music Award wins and Grammy nomination, BTS appeared on James Corden’s The Late Late Show. They treated fans to a live performance of “Permission To Dance” and an in-studio chat, which had a couple of very interesting moments.
Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images
Things started off well, with James offering a friendly welcome to BTS, remarking that it had been two years since they’ve been together in-person.
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… Namjoon asks James about ~that~ joke 😬 #BTSxLateLate
Twitter: @latelateshow
Speaking on behalf of the group, Namjoon said that while it was good to be back, he was more interested in hearing how James was — considering he had been in “hot water with army.”
Labelling BTS as “unusual visitors” to the UN, James remarked: “People say why are BTS there? The world leaders have no choice but to take BTS seriously. At the end of the day, BTS has one of the largest armies on planet Earth.”
Twitter: @legendaryseok
He continued: “Historic moment. It actually marks the first time 15-year-old girls everywhere found themselves wishing they were secretary general of the United Nations António Guterres.”
Fans immediately demanded an apology from James, calling his actions a “cheap joke” that threw away the relationship the host has built up with both the band and BTS army.
Actually I’m still pissed about this. @JKCorden has had BTS on the show several times and said so many nice things about them. He also introduced them in the WSJ Mag Innovator award video, singing their praises, but threw all of it away to use them (and us) for a cheap joke. https://t.co/k96k7hXjq5
Twitter: @modooborahae
Fast forward to their most recent appearance on The Late Late Show, where Namjoon asked if James was alright, resulting in the host leaning over in embarrassment.
Speaking about the jokes, James said, at the time, he didn’t believe they were “in any way offensive to anybody” and that he received death threats from fans afterwards.
In reference to the ageist remarks about the BTS army being solely composed of 15-year-old girls, James said that’s not true, considering that he’s 43 years old and “one of the biggest BTS fans on planet Earth.”
Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images
He then went on to praise BTS’ fanbase, saying that he loves both the band and their fans and would never want to intentionally do anything that hurts either of them.
Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images
After listening to James, Namjoon shook his hand and said: “We appreciate your apology. We just wanted to clear the air.”
Meanwhile, Jimin said he “believes” James and that he’ll still be affectionately known as Papa Mochi to them and army.
@latelateshow / Via Twitter: @latelateshow
The nickname “Papa Mochi” was given to James as a result of his close relationship with band-member Jimin, who is nicknamed as Mochi.
From the replies on Twitter, it looks like James’ apology has had a positive response within BTS’ fanbase, with many of them agreeing that if the band forgives James, then they do too.
@latelateshow @BOMHARU1230 IF KIM NAMJOON says he appreciates the apology and THE PARK JIMIN says he believes in you.
Who are we to say anything otherwise.
Anyway, to err is human.
It’s all cleared out on National television.
It’s all good Papa Mochi 💜
Twitter: @bltch_borahae
@latelateshow I moved on thanks to namjoon, u mada a mistake but we are humans after all, its all good now, I hope you & they enjoyed your time together, thank for the welcoming atmosphere your presented them with, always 💜
Twitter: @NabeelaNmr
Hopefully James Corden will think twice about what he says about his guest’s fanbases in the future!