BTS Faces Controversy After Seth Herzog's Joke on The Tonight Show

BTS's recent appearance on The Tonight Show has stirred controversy following a joke made by Seth Herzog, which many fans deemed racist. Amid the backlash, the band has also celebrated the release of their new album, ARIRANG, featuring 14 tracks. Following a successful concert in Seoul, RM expressed gratitude to their dedicated fanbase, the ARMY, promising to continue delivering heartfelt music. This incident highlights the challenges faced by global artists in navigating cultural sensitivities while engaging with their audience.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 26, 2026, 07:23 IST

BTS Returns to The Tonight Show Amid Controversy

The renowned K-pop group BTS made a recent appearance on Jimmy Fallon's The Tonight Show, featuring members RM, Suga, Jimin, J-Hope, V, Jungkook, and Jin. However, their performance was overshadowed by a controversial remark made by the show's MC, Seth Herzog, which many viewers interpreted as a racist joke. This incident has sparked significant backlash on social media against both Seth and Jimmy.

Seth Herzog's Apology to BTS

As reported by a source close to TMZ, Seth Herzog has reached out to apologize to the BTS members regarding the incident. The controversial comment made during the show was, "Anybody here from the North? No? Nobody?" which was perceived as a reference to North Korea. Fans in attendance felt that this joke was directed at the members of BTS, particularly RM, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, and V. Despite the backlash, neither Seth nor Jimmy has publicly addressed the issue further.

BTS's New Album ARIRANG

In other news, J-Hope and his fellow bandmates have made a triumphant return with their latest album titled ARIRANG, which features 14 tracks including Body To Body, Hooligan, FYA, Aliens, and SWIM. The album was launched on March 20, followed by a highly anticipated live performance at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, as part of their Netflix concert.

BTS Thanks Their Fans

After their concert, BTS expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their fans through a message from RM on WeVerse. He stated, "Thank you so much for believing in us unwaveringly and waiting for us all this time. The moment we heard your cheers filling the square, an overwhelming feeling washed over us: 'Ah, we've finally come back.' We were even more moved by how you all showed maturity and order, looking out for one another amid such a huge crowd, and enjoyed the performance." RM emphasized that the ARMY is their greatest source of pride and promised to continue creating music that resonates with their fans worldwide.