HYBE’s Recent Actions For BTS Trigger Huge Backlash

HYBE‘s recent announcement about BTS has been hit with serious criticism from Korean netizens regarding the ARIRANG tour.

HYBE recently announced new merchandise for the ARIRANG tour.

BTS ‘ARIRANG’ Merch.

2nd Drop Preview (1/5)

[OFFLINE]
🏠 BTS POP-UP : ARIRANG
📆 2026. 06. 05 – 2026. 06. 14
📍 HYBE YONGSAN & SHINSEGAE CENTUMCITY

[ONLINE]
📆 2026. 06. 05 11:00 (KST)
🌐 @weverseshop

*The turntable and headphones will be available online only.#BTS… pic.twitter.com/U9vRxcjbRF

— HYBE MERCH (@HYBE_MERCH) June 2, 2026

Amid the items, there were some accessories for the ARMY Bomb.

BTS ‘ARIRANG’ Merch.

2nd Drop Preview (5/5)

[OFFLINE]
🏠 BTS POP-UP : ARIRANG
📆 2026. 06. 05 – 2026. 06. 14
📍 HYBE YONGSAN & SHINSEGAE CENTUMCITY

[ONLINE]
📆 2026. 06. 05 11:00 (KST)
🌐 @weverseshop#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_ARIRANG pic.twitter.com/QMOz4srAGM

— HYBE MERCH (@HYBE_MERCH) June 2, 2026

Yet, one fan’s tweet has gained attention after criticizing the design.

You crazy idiots, why did you write ‘Arirang’ using the font that’s supposed to be used for a Chinese restaurant?Seriously, I feel like I’m going to lose it. I’m so freaking angry. Aaaagh…”

In the comments, Korean fans agreed with the OP, hitting back at HYBE and even thought it could hint at BTS’s status with the company as the title of the post read, “Looks like HYBE has given up on BTS at this point.”

• Oh dear…
• It’s a tactic to make fans feel emotionally invested. It’s so tacky. As time goes on, it’s becoming more and more obvious that’s what HYBE is doing.
• Their sense of design has basically been abandoned ever since the “D-DAY” era.

• No, this is genuinely ridiculous. This goes beyond cutting costs.

• I came in expecting to complain that the title was exaggerating…

  (…but apparently the merch really is that bad.)

• Wow. Maybe HYBE can’t make much money from BTS anymore. Looking at merch like this, it feels like they just don’t care whether people buy it or not. Maybe their profit share is tiny.

BTS