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James Corden ribbed BTS fans, a.k.a. the "Army," with an "ageist" joke that failed to resonate with them on social media.
The Late Late Show host posted and later removed the clip of his comment in which he talked about the wildly popular South Korean boyband's visit to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday.
'The Late Late Show With James Corden' deletes videos of the host calling BTS's appearance at the UN 'unusual' in r… https://t.co/4qqt8P3uYz— allkpop (@allkpop) 1632281566.0
Corden prefaced his joke by referring to the seven-member boy band as "unusual visitors" and theorized why they would be found at such a formal gathering, even though it was their third appearance at the U.N.
"People say why are BTS there? The world leaders have no choice but to take BTS seriously."
"At the end of the day, BTS has one of the largest armies on planet Earth."
FOR THOSE WHO DONT KNOW WHATS UP W JAMES CORDEN https://t.co/dwetonvOgm— hobi ✌️ (@hobi ✌️) 1632270832.0
What followed next was the statement that riled the BTS Army, which is comprised of fans of all ages and not exclusively teenagers.
"Historic moment. It actually marks the first time 15-year-old girls everywhere found themselves wishing they were Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres."
What fans took to be an ageist remark rubbed many of them the wrong way, especially after Corden had invited BTS on multiple occasions on his show.
He was even dubbed "Papa Mochi" because of his tight rapport with bandmember Jimin, a.k.a. "Mochi."
@legendaryseok But he was papa mochi.. Why 😠😠😠— _Call me 'N'__ (@_Call me 'N'__) 1632322583.0
no free clout honestly he dragged that papa mochi thing for too long, and dyna his favourite song on be, he’s fake af wbk— H⁷ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎ | ifb🇦🇺 (@H⁷ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎ | ifb🇦🇺) 1632271416.0
Corden invoked a trope about boy bands throughout music history having a fanbase primarily consisting of teenage girls, but his attempt to roast fans with it did not land well.
@legendaryseok And he said "it's only bout 15y'o girls inside" Heyy helloo, i mean exuce me. I'm a mother of 15y'o… https://t.co/zsl5mBnOBY— christian_chimmchimm (@christian_chimmchimm) 1632295771.0
I'm 25… i know 44, 36, 29 years old armies… he just messed up 🤮
— mel teriake • 💜 (@MTeriyake) September 23, 2021
@agustdtae_ Got news for him. I’m a senior citizen, and my sister is 49. We’re both fans. We’re no 15 year olds.— DangCarp (@DangCarp) 1632283294.0
@allkpop I've attended International and national MUNs and won best delegate award as well and I'm proud to say tha… https://t.co/aw84t3wiLf— K-star World⁷ on YT🧡 (@K-star World⁷ on YT🧡) 1632282605.0
@Judy6609 @allkpop Well its bts's 3rd year at the UN so i wouldnt say its unusual for them to be there... What i th… https://t.co/1Gpmu96zDQ— Jacky_Grande⟭⟬⁷ (@Jacky_Grande⟭⟬⁷) 1632364059.0
Now, some members of the BTS Army are demanding an apology from the television personality.
JAMES CORDEN DELETED THE VIDEO?? WE BETTER GET AN APOLOGY AS WELL https://t.co/xUr2LQqXUC— H⁷ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎ | ifb🇦🇺 (@H⁷ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎ | ifb🇦🇺) 1632270447.0
@legendaryseok He’s definitely the next person on BTS’ unfollow list LMAO— ꒰ bia ꒱ ⁷♡₉ ؘ ࿔*:･ﾟ (@꒰ bia ꒱ ⁷♡₉ ؘ ࿔*:･ﾟ) 1632271946.0
@legendaryseok Just because he deleted his video doesnt mean we are gonna delete what he said from our minds. Shoul… https://t.co/VK487VR8xO— addy⁷ (@addy⁷) 1632288205.0
@allkpop I cant believe im agreeing with armys but this is not cool, i expected so much more from james, after year… https://t.co/mzRWAKHW2R— Mickey (@Mickey) 1632283589.0
@legendaryseok well... to the blacklist he goes— gloss⁷ 🐯🐰♡ (@gloss⁷ 🐯🐰♡) 1632272530.0
Some people were more forgiving of the host but identified the root of the issue.
@LynLengEstrella @legendaryseok I think it’s just a badly written joke. And he delivered it badly too...he’s not be… https://t.co/kjCk2sPifK— Astra. (@Astra.) 1632286142.0
@namjoontrash13 @legendaryseok This is my issue with it too. It’s lazy joke writing. The right joke to make would b… https://t.co/nzcVIrGyg3— Astra. (@Astra.) 1632286086.0
For their third appearance at the United Nations and to kick off the gathering on Monday, BTS screened a video performance of "Permission to Dance," which was shot on the grounds of the U.N. headquarters of New York.
The group also discussed climate change, digital community, vaccines, and the younger generation's role in shaping a better future.
More than one million viewers watched their appearance at UNGA, online.