Many fans have expressed outrage after BTS‘s J-Hope was inappropriately touched during a recent concert.
On April 19, J-Hope’s Hope On The Stage tour had its first Japanese concert date in Saitama, Japan.
Throughout the tour, J-Hope has not shied away from getting up close and personal with fans during the show’s send-off event and the actual concert itself. Usually, the idol will walk along the barricade and interact with fans in various ways.
j-hope acknowledging female AND male army at barricade 🥹 pic.twitter.com/vOhGd6TCeX
— bts memeories⁷ (@btsmemeories) March 27, 2025
“you look so good” Hoseok complimenting the lucky army he chose for Equal Sign intro tonight and gave her hug at end😭😭😭🥹 pic.twitter.com/p5vahLO9I3
— j-hope daily™ (@thehobiprint) April 7, 2025
The same happened during the Saitama date, with the idol greeting fans, most of whom reacted respectfully.
However, at one point, J-Hope is hugged by a fan without clearly prompting it first, but continues on performing. Shortly after, another fan can be seen touching his stomach as more hands reach out to his body.
Many expressed outrage and disappointment in how the idol was treated, remarking that J-Hope was already being open with getting close with fans but that it was taken too far.
역으로 생각을 해보세요..
여아이돌 콘에서 남팬이 저리해봐
보디가드가 바로 손모가지 꺾어서
끌고나가 곧장 경찰서행 해도
말릴 이 하나 없겠쥬?
제발 존중좀 해. 소중히 대하라고 https://t.co/bes9RXYKwd— Baby_P (@LuvBaby_P) April 19, 2025
Try thinking about it the other way around…What if a male fan did that at a girl idol concert? The bodyguards would snap his wrist on the spot, drag him out, and send him straight to the police — and no one would try to stop them, right? Please, just show some respect. Treat them with care.
— OP
이전 공연들은 아티스트 리액션이 있으면 스킨쉽하는 분위기였고 기본적으로 존중해주는 느낌이 있어서 보기 좋았는데 여기서는 무슨 걸어다니는 마네킹온것마냥 신나서 더듬는 것 같은 모습이라서 좀 마음이 안좋아요.. 상대방이 인형이 아니라 사람이라고 생각하고 대해주셨으면함ㅠ https://t.co/9OPmDr3OLR
— 알 (@anijyu7) April 19, 2025
At previous performances, there was a respectful atmosphere—if the artist reacted positively, then light physical interaction happened naturally. It felt mutual and considerate, which was nice to see. But here, it just looked like people were excited to grope him like he was a walking mannequin, and that honestly made me feel uncomfortable…I hope people can remember that he is not a doll— he is a human being, and should be treated as such.
— OP
No and no
U don’t hug him without his consent
U don’t rubb his chest like he’s an object…. people wanna be sued like that lady at jin event or ??? https://t.co/mCCIZ6jQy8— Pax⁷🐳「 -ㅅ-「💜_아포방포-𝑩𝑻𝑺 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓⁷⁼¹ (@paxtannies2025) April 19, 2025
While getting excited when your idol is up close is normal, most fans want J-Hope to be shown the same respect he gives out.