A new BTS interview with Rolling Stone has reignited fan anger, leading to strong backlash against their agency HYBE. The controversy centers on Jungkook losing the chance to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show with Usher. Many supporters are now accusing the company of blocking the singer’s solo career opportunities.
The situation started when RM talked about a missed global moment during a recent interview. He shared that Jungkook was invited to join Usher for the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show. The performance did not happen because Jungkook had to begin his mandatory military service. RM called the Super Bowl “the best event and show stage in the whole world.”
“It didn’t work out because he went to the military… officially, unofficially, I think it’s the best event and show stage in the whole world.” — RM
Why Are Fans Blaming HYBE for the Super Bowl Loss?
Fans are not accepting the military service excuse as the real reason Jungkook missed the stage. Many supporters have pointed out a specific rule in Korean law. The Military Manpower Administration allows individuals to delay their enlistment for personal reasons. A person can apply for this delay up to five days before their scheduled入伍日期.
This legal fact has made fans believe HYBE made a choice not to let him go. Supporters argue the company could have asked for a short delay. They claim HYBE prioritized other schedules or group activities over this solo chance. The anger grows because many believe Jungkook wanted to perform on that global stage.
‘Only Jungkook Keeps Having to Sacrifice Everything’: Fan Outrage Explodes Online
Social media has been flooded with thousands of angry posts since the Rolling Stone story came out. The backlash is not just about the Super Bowl. Fans feel this is part of a larger pattern where Jungkook consistently loses major chances.
One major point of frustration is the timing of his enlistment. Jungkook chose to enlist in December 2023. He was born in 1997, meaning he could have legally waited until 2028 to serve. Supporters ask why he had to go early if it meant missing the biggest performance stage in the world.
Here is how some fans reacted to the news:
“Watching the full version of this makes me even angrier. It’s not that he couldn’t go to the Super Bowl because of the military. The Korean military enlistment can be postponed for personal reasons if an application is submitted up to five days before the scheduled date. It’s simply because HYBE prevented him from performing solo at the Super Bowl.” — @97901_sue
“The amount of opportunities he had to sacrifice because of that company… Only Jungkook keeps having to sacrifice everything!” — @swygirl
The Group Dream vs. The Solo Moment
The interview also included the other members talking about their own goal to perform at the Super Bowl. J-Hope, Jin, and Jimin all expressed interest in standing on that stage as a group in the future. They mentioned watching Bad Bunny perform and feeling inspired.
For many angry fans, this contrast is the hardest part to accept. Jungkook had a real invitation to be there two years ago. Now, the group is publicly hoping for the same stage. Supporters feel HYBE sacrificed Jungkook’s solo history to save the moment for the whole group later.
Some fans are also pointing fingers at the group members themselves. They feel the members did not push hard enough for Jungkook to take that chance when it was available. The fact that the group now calls it their “dream stage” feels like a painful reminder of what was taken away.
BTS Talks About Future Goals and ‘Arirang’
The Rolling Stone interview was mainly meant to promote BTS’s new album Arirang. The group discussed how it feels to be back together after completing their military service. RM talked about the pressures of the music industry and how fast trends change.
SUGA mentioned that the group is thinking about releasing more singles and shorter projects in the future. He noted that it is hard to predict what music will sound like months in advance. The members also talked about wanting to try new styles and collaborations with Western artists.
But these positive talking points have been completely overshadowed by the Super Bowl controversy. Instead of celebrating the new album, many online spaces are focused on criticizing HYBE’s management style.
Also Read:
A Pattern of Missed Chances for the Golden Maknae
This is not the first time fans have accused HYBE of holding Jungkook back. During his solo era with the album Golden, many felt his promotions were too short. He had massive global hits like “Standing Next to You” and “Seven.” Supporters believe he could have done stadium shows and major award performances.
The Super Bowl news has brought all that old frustration back to the surface. Fans are now calling HYBE the “worst label in the world” on social media. They are demanding answers about why the company did not secure the Usher collaboration for the live stage.
Jungkook finished his military service and was discharged in June 2025. He has since been quiet about his solo return. However, fan campaigns demanding better treatment for him are growing louder every day.
Stay connected with VvipTimes for the latest K-pop news and artist updates.
