Hurt And Disappointed! What Made Jungkook Say “I Apologise” To BTS ARMY After Wearing Trump-Inspired Cap At Festa Rehearsal?

BTS’ Jungkook has found himself in the middle of an unexpected controversy, just as excitement around the 2025 BTS Festa was heating up. A rehearsal video showed him wearing a black cap that read “Make Tokyo Great Again” - a slogan that stirred instant outrage online.

The phrase is closely linked to Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign and has been used by Japanese political figures like Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko. Many Korean fans found it offensive, given the slogan’s ties to nationalism and reported anti-Korean sentiment.

Jungkook Responds To Backlash Over Political Slogan

Social media exploded as fans, especially in South Korea, questioned how Jungkook could wear something with such political baggage. Criticism poured in, with many saying the choice felt careless and deeply disappointing.

Jungkook quickly addressed the outrage. Posting on WeVerse, he wrote, “Hello, this is Jung Kook. I feel heavy to write this after meeting you after a long time. I sincerely apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience caused to many people by the phrase on the hat I wore during rehearsals today.”

He admitted his mistake and added, “I take it seriously that I have been disappointed and hurt by my lack of wearing it without fully confirming the historical and political meaning of the phrase. There is no excuse. I wasn’t good enough; I was careless.”

Jungkook revealed that he threw the hat away immediately and promised to be more thoughtful going forward. “From now on, I will think more deeply and act one by one. I will humbly accept both the criticism and the criticism of my mistake. Once again, I’m sorry.”

i respect jungkook for handling it so maturely, the fact that he didn’t even wait for a statement but he addressed it HIMSELF, apologized and let it stop here rather than letting it escalate from people assuming anything from wearing the hat, he’s always so sincere and genuine. pic.twitter.com/ZFXyVaynST

— i love 정국♡⁷ (@giantpopjeon) June 13, 2025

BTS ARMY Reacts To Jungkook’s Apology

The apology received mixed reactions. While some fans were upset, many appreciated how quickly and sincerely he addressed the issue. One fan wrote, “Owning up to it like that? That’s growth.”

This controversy came just as Jungkook returned to the spotlight after finishing his military service. He performed alongside Jin and J-Hope at the Hope On The Stage finale, bringing emotional moments for fans watching the mini-reunion.

Adding to the buzz, fans noticed a new chest tattoo during the performance. The fresh ink quickly trended online, with fans gushing over Jungkook’s bold look.

While the cap incident briefly overshadowed his return, Jungkook’s open apology helped calm much of the backlash. In a week full of drama and celebration, he reminded fans that accountability and humility still matter in K-pop’s biggest acts.