Jungkook wore a cap with a politically sensitive slogan during a rehearsal and quickly issued a sincere public apology. Many fans criticized the phrase’s connection to Japanese right-wing politics and questioned his awareness. He admitted his mistake, accepted the criticism, and promised to act more carefully in the future.
Jungkook Apology After Wearing Controversial Cap During Rehearsal
Jungkook of BTS issued a public apology after wearing a cap with a controversial phrase during a concert rehearsal. The phrase, “MAKE TOKYO GREAT AGAIN,” closely resembles the slogan used by Donald Trump in his presidential campaign, and it has been adopted by Japanese right-wing politicians. Because of this association, the slogan carries strong political and historical implications. Jungkook explained that he learned about the meaning only after fans pointed it out following the rehearsal, and once he became aware, he immediately took responsibility and addressed the situation publicly.
Jungkook Expresses Regret for Not Recognizing the Cap’s Political Message
On June 14, Jungkook expressed his regret in a message shared through the global fan platform Weverse. He began by saying it felt heavy to write such a message after meeting fans again for the first time in a while. Jungkook sincerely apologized for disappointing and upsetting many people by wearing the cap and admitted that he had failed to research the historical and political background of the phrase. He emphasized that the mistake was entirely his fault and that he had no excuse for overlooking its significance.
Cap Controversy Leads to Immediate Apology and Self-Reflection from Jungkook
Jungkook stated that he would accept all criticism and advice with humility, acknowledging that his lack of awareness had caused hurt. He also revealed that he had immediately discarded the cap and would be more careful in the future. While he had no ill intent, he recognized that thoughtlessness could still result in harm. He pledged to reflect deeply on this mistake and approach all actions with greater responsibility. His apology demonstrated a sincere willingness to learn and grow from the experience.
Public Reaction Divided Over Jungkook Cap Incident and His Apology
The incident occurred during a rehearsal for j-hope’s encore concert held at Goyang Stadium, where Jungkook appeared as a guest. After he wore the cap with the slogan, fans quickly responded online, questioning how he could overlook its meaning. Some argued that his English skills, shown in many of his songs, made it unlikely that he misunderstood the phrase. On the Korean forum theqoo, more than 2,000 critical comments appeared, claiming that even without knowing the political context, he should have understood the general message.
Some Defend Jungkook, Say Cap Was Worn Without Intent or Awareness
Others defended Jungkook by suggesting he may have worn the cap without giving the phrase much thought. They pointed out that artists often wear items handed to them by stylists, and that this may have been one of those moments. Some fans also argued that people were placing too much weight on a fashion choice, reading into it more than necessary. Still, even those who defended him largely agreed that the apology was appropriate, and that acknowledging the issue was an important part of moving forward.
Positive Responses Follow Jungkook Apology and Cap Controversy
Despite sharp criticism from theqoo, many others responded positively to Jungkook’s apology and appreciated his honest tone. On MLBPARK, another Korean community, users praised the way he took responsibility without blaming anyone else. They felt that his quick and clear apology showed maturity and respect for his global audience. As a world-famous figure, fans now hope he will be more cautious about small details in his public appearance. Many expressed their continued support while encouraging him to stay mindful in future activities.

Here’s a link to theqoo. Here’s a link to MLBPARK.
Thank you so much for reading this post! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share them in the comments!
Wearing a cap with “MAKE TOKYO GREAT AGAIN” on it for a short bit, is that really an issue? They just wore it briefly during rehearsal, not even regularly. Anti-Japan sentiment in Korea seems completely insane.