BTS Jungkook and U.S. Concert Sound Controversy: "It’s the problem… I’m also angry"

Jungkook, a member of the group BTS, personally apologized for the sound issue that occurred during the group’s U.S. performance.

On the 27th, Jungkook acknowledged the controversy via social networking service (SNS), saying, “The sound issue with ‘Magic Shop’ yesterday was real. Don’t worry.”

The stage where the problem occurred was part of the world tour performance, ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG IN NORTH AMERICA,’ held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, USA. On the first day, the 25th, an error occurred in the sound transmission process during the ‘Magic Shop’ stage, and excessively processed audio different from Jungkook’s actual voice was output during his part, causing confusion.

After the stage ended, Jungkook performed the song again without accompaniment to resolve the situation. He later apologized once more via SNS and expressed regret over the sound issue.

He said, “From today, I’ll make sure to hit the notes properly. I’m sorry to the ARMYs (BTS’s fandom) who came to the concert yesterday,” and added, “I’m angry too.”

Meanwhile, this performance was a North American concert held for the first time in about four years since Las Vegas in 2022, drawing great attention even before it began. The concert ran from the 25th to the 28th.

After wrapping up their performance in Tampa, BTS will immediately move to El Paso, Texas, for the next show. Brook Underwood, executive director of the El Paso tourism bureau, had previously told local media that “BTS’s two-day concert is expected to have an economic ripple effect worth about $75 million (approximately 110.5 billion won) for the local economy.”

They are then scheduled to continue with a total of 31 performances across 12 major North American cities, including Mexico City and New York. Tickets are reported to have sold out for every show.

Choi Seung-woo, online news reporter