As fans are aware, on the 22nd, the נαραиese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun published several reports regarding the private schedules of BTS members in נαραи after the group concluded their two-night concert at Tokyo Dome. Among them, one article concerning RM sparked major controversy online over allegations of smoking in a public place.

The outlet published photos alongside a report claiming that RM had visited multiple izakayas and bars in the Shibuya area of Tokyo, smoked in restricted areas, and discarded cigarette butts carelessly. According to the article, despite being directly warned by security staff, RM continued smoking; it also released an image of a female staff member kneeling down to pick up the cigarette butts.

נαραи is widely known for its strict regulations on public smoking, with many designated no-smoking zones. As a result, the article triggered a wave of criticism directed at RM, with comments such as: “You must show respect when you're in another country”, “He broke נαραиese law by smoking publicly on the street and ignored security guards multiple times. RM needs to apologize", “I thought RM was the one in charge of common sense…It seems like BTS has nothing left but a downward spiral”,...

In response to the negative situation, on the 23rd, BigHit Music issued a press statement clarifying its position: “We are aware of the situation, but given that the photos were taken by paparazzi, we are requesting that they not be published as articles domestically. We are responding to all media outlets that inquired with the same stance. We do not yet have any plans to release an additional official statement.”

Not only BigHit Music, but shortly afterward, кσяєαn media outlets and industry officials also stepped forward with analyses defending RM and exposing the “true intent” behind Shukan Bunshun’s reporting.

Another industry official noted that although Shukan Bunshun is one of נαραи’s representative weekly magazines, it is well known for generating scandals by focusing on the private lives and controversies of public figures, particularly politicians. The publication has previously caused major upheaval with reports on corruption and extramarital affairs involving high-ranking officials within נαραи’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party. It operates like an aggressive “troublemaker,” willing to target anyone—even the Prime Minister—if it brings attention and sales.

Even in its BTS coverage on the 22nd, aside from the article about RM, Shukan Bunshun used sensational phrasing such as “secret visit” when reporting that Jin had gone to a hot spring inn in Ito for a vacation.

Furthermore, Shukan Bunshun is known for its right-leaning, conservative stance, which includes strong anti-кσяєαn sentiment. While K-pop has been extremely successful in נαραи, the magazine reportedly views it as a “threat” to domestic culture. BTS had just successfully concluded two nights of concerts at Tokyo Dome, drawing 110,000 attendees, making the timing of Shukan Bunshun’s report—right as BTS achieved such major success—appear to be a deliberate attempt to undermine and tarnish the image of K-pop idols in order to reduce their influence.

A local fan also commented: “Is one cigarette butt really enough to shake the entire country?” and “There are countless נαραиese people who smoke in restricted areas, but when it comes to RM, it becomes a scandal,” highlighting the apparent inconsistency. The outlet is seen as applying stricter moral standards to кσяєαn artists in order to provoke nationalist sentiment among right-leaning readers and steer public opinion.

However, this apparent intention seems to have backfired. Shukan Bunshun is now facing backlash for its excessive reporting and invasive filming targeting BTS. Criticism labeling the outlet as “a disgrace to journalism” has been pouring in from fans in both кσяєα and נαραи, as well as from the נαραиese public itself, particularly condemning its stalking-like reporting мєтнods—closely following and aggressively pursuing artists even during their private time after official schedules have ended.

In particular, Shukan Bunshun 'closely shadowed' RM until 1:00 AM and leaked around 20 paparazzi shots, carrying out invasive 'hidden camera reporting' framed with purely malicious rhetoric.

On social media, many have angrily αѕѕerted, “This is stalking, not journalism.” Some even referenced the well-known נαραиese series Midnight Diner, remarking: “Is this the tabloid journalism version of ‘Midnight Diner’?” Others have questioned whether this was a deliberate attempt to publicly shame the artist, with some voices within נαραи calling the report “embarrαѕѕing” and urging self-reflection within the media industry.

Quoting a K-pop industry expert to conclude: "It is suspected to be a typical 'K-pop bashing' tactic of נαραиese yellow journalism. However, as the media literacy (media criticism ability) of fandoms and the public has increased, it has instead ended up emphasizing only the low quality of the media outlet."