‘RM, apologise to Muslims’: BTS leader faces backlash for stirring up ‘Islamophobia’

SEOUL: The leader of the renowned K-pop sensation BTS Kim Nam Joon professionally known as RM has faced a several backlash after he shared a snapshot from his Spotify playlist featuring Frank Ocean’s track Bad Religion.

This seemingly ‘normal’ Instagram Story post has ignited a significant criticism against the South Korean musician due to the song’s offensive lyrics, leading to a trending hashtag on X, “#RMapologizetoMuslims” by infuriating fans and disappointed netizens.

The prevailing sentiment is that RM has inadvertently stirred up concerns of perpetuating a global narrative of Islamophobia by casually sharing a song with such controversial content.

Meanwhile, the controversial song Bad Religion was released in 2012 as part of Frank Ocean’s debut studio album Channel Orange. The lyrics of the song compared unrequited love to religion, implying that unreciprocated love is similar to a ‘bad religion’.

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The lyrics included the lines If it brings me to my knees, it’s a bad religion. Oh, this unrequited love. To me, it’s nothing but a one-man cult. These lyrics could be offensive to those who have strong spiritual convictions and are sensitive to these sort of references in entertainment.

Although the song has been in circulation for over a decade, it has only now triggered controversy.

Amidst the disapproval and hurt expressed by many members of the BTS fanbase, known as the BTS Army, some are willing to extend the benefit of doubt to RM, given his advocacy for the UNICEF.

Furious BTS Army chanting “RM, apologise to Muslims”

Netizens have expressed their disappointment predominantly through X. Let’s check out the reactions below.

If he didn't read the lyrics or whatever he should apologize simply and clear himself, he should know that this is islamophobic and Frank Ocean should apologize about this song because he wrote the song, it can't be tolerated #NAMJOON_APOLOGIZE_TO_MUSLIM#RMapologizetoMuslims pic.twitter.com/hi6AgBxh0b

— Laiba Zulfiqar (@LaibaZu35335034) August 17, 2023

BTS army is clearly let down by the artist’s lack of apology for his actions.

#RMapologizetoMuslims
Those army's, especially Muslim army's supporting him, now please open your eyes ,He did not even said sorry and didn't try to stop frighting but he upload that photo's in his Twitter to give us silent msg (you can see pics in below the msg) pic.twitter.com/YhMezoEsQv

— Deep Blue (@BlueDeep76055) August 17, 2023

A user calling out everyone to ‘cancel’ the K-pop idol.

#RmApologizeToMuslims
I hope all the Muslim world would stop doing business with this guy and his band. Unfortunately he ruined his band
Stop inviting him. Stop buying his albums. Stop supporting him
He doesn't care for us.
We're canceling him.
Keepur apology

— American_Moroccan_Style (@bel_koria) August 17, 2023

Another netizen going crazy after the RM stirred up the controversy.

As a Muslim I condemn this act MR Namjoon #NAMJOON_APOLOGIZE_TO_MUSLIM #RMapologizetoMuslims https://t.co/6osXzp18si

— Momina Khan PTI 🇵🇰⟬⟭⟭⟬💜 (@mominah386) August 17, 2023

K-pop fanbase is now labelling the Moonchild singer as “hypocrite”

"The fact that people who say "We respect all differences" listen to Islamophobic songs in their private lives is proof of how hypocritical idols are. #RMapologizetoMuslims https://t.co/IVwt0GMTbd

— Doyoung 🇹🇷 YOUTH 🩵🌊 (@doyoungscity) August 16, 2023

Seems like BTS army lost a fan.

As a Muslim , I'm a BTS army since 4 years and I love BTS more than you can imagine. But this is totally unacceptable. No one can disrespect our Islam . This is the first time I'm hurt by BTS but I do know they can't hurt anyone . Everyone makes mistakes. Rm apologise to Muslims pic.twitter.com/RX4HJJURf8

— Alyza🇵🇰 (@Alminxjimin) August 16, 2023