On September 18, BTS delivered an impressive and energetic performance on the stage of the world-clαѕѕ iHeartRadio Music Festival 2026. International media outlets praised both the performance and the overwhelming star power of the world’s top K-pop superstars, noting that the group created a special highlight for the two-day festival in Las Vegas.

However, following the event, some ARMYs spoke up about several issues surrounding the festival, including the length of BTS’ performance as well as problems with the audio and broadcast. These fans complained that the organizers treated the group unfairly and showed less respect toward them compared with other artists, despite BTS being the headliners of the night and their treatment not reflecting the dedication the group had put into the performance.

Even more notably, the reaction that followed from a radio show under the iHeartRadio network caused the backlash to spread even further throughout the ARMY community!

Specifically, during The Woody Show’s broadcast on September 21, the hosts discussed the iHeartRadio Music Festival and fans’ reactions following the event. The hosts were aware of some of the negative feedback, but instead of simply addressing it, they went further, considered these criticisms exaggerated or unfounded, and even mocked BTS and ARMYs.

One of the details that particularly angered fans was the way the hosts deliberately mispronounced the BTS members’ names as a form of mockery. Jungkook’s name, in particular, was repeatedly turned into variations such as “Jang Jukes” and “Jukes Jin Cook.” The hosts also repeatedly called ARMY “losers” and said they wanted to find fans’ accounts so they could tell them to “eat sh1t” or “shove it".

Fans saw this as more than just harmless joking. To them, it reflected contempt toward names that are not Western, a lack of respect for Asian culture, and ŕäċïṩṃ, on top of insulting an entire fan community. Major accounts representing the ARMY fandom shared posts accompanied by clips from the broadcast, demanding a public apology from The Woody Show and iHeartRadio while calling for professionalism and respect for the artists’ identities.

One fan account also pointed out: “You cannot have it both ways. You cannot treat BTS like they're lucky to be invited to your bummy-αѕѕ "festival" while simultaneously relying on the very au∂ιєnce you've decided to disrespect”. The account went on to emphasize: “Let's be very clear: ARMY is bigger than your institution. BTS is, without question, bigger than your institution”.

OP also argued: “You don't get to capitalize on their global reach when it's convenient, rely on their fans to fill your seats, generate engagement, and put money in your pockets to then turn around and dismiss, mock, and openly antagonize that same au∂ιєnce when you think nobody is watching. You desperately needed BTS. You desperately needed ARMY. Not the other way around”, a statement that received widespread support from other fans.

The backlash continues to spread across social media, with criticism directed at The Woody Show and iHeartRadio under hashtags such as #RespectBTS and #StopAsianHate. Some of the notable reactions include:

- We demand an apology to BTS and ARMY  @TheWoodyShow RESPECT BTS RESPECT ARMY

- They are soon going to witness what kind of 'losers' we are!!! This makes my вℓσσ∂ boil so much, like you can actually feel how much they hate us. The blant disrespect. We and our boys seriously have just each other

- @iHeartRadio Take action. BTS was your performer. Army was your au∂ιєnce. You can't treat us like that, it's so unprofessional. @TheWoodyShow apologize

- The fandom you are calling "losers" & the ones whose names you are making fun of gave you the actual crowd & the only hype btw @iheartradio

- Lmao, the The Woody Show thing @iHeartRadio is fяєαкing hilarious. Like, what do you mean? A short set, terrible audio, ARMYs got pissed, and you couldn’t handle it? So you turned around and started biting back?

- I guess it’s goodbye to iHeartRadio, then. And hopefully we never meet again. Honestly, I hope BTS never agrees to work with these ungrateful people again

- This ugly wнιтe men cant help but show their true colors. Once they got their views and clout they go back to their xenophobic and ungrateful selves. I really hope BTS never comes back to iheart ever again

- Here we go again people don't get it. Less stage time,last act of the day all that was bearable even if it was difficult. But now coming at us. Hosts of this woody show you are truly showing your CLASS @iHeartRadio. You guys will never see our boys again I αѕѕure you. TAKE CARE