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BTS member Jungkook dons a cap reading “Make Tokyo Great Again” during the rehearsal for fellow BTS-er J-Hope’s concert at the Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province on June 13, 2025. (still from social media)

Jungkook, a member of the K-pop act BTS, apologized after controversy erupted over him wearing a cap with a slogan used by the far right in Japan.

The furor arose after photographs circulated on social media showing Jungkook wearing a black cap bearing the words “Make Tokyo Great Again” during a rehearsal Friday for his fellow BTS member J-Hope’s concert at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province.

After comments were raised on online communities, the controversy escalated after it became known that the cap in question had been discontinued and the phrase on it was used by far-right politicians in Japan.

The phrase was based on the “Make America Great Again” slogan used by Donald Trump during his campaign for the US presidency. In Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol wore a cap with the phrase “Make Korea Great Again” on it after he was deposed earlier this year by the Constitutional Court for his martial law declaration on Dec. 3 of last year.

Jungkook salutes the press after being discharged from his mandatory military service on June 11, 2025, in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. (Yonhap)

In response to the growing controversy, Jungkook posted an apology on the fan platform Weverse early on Saturday morning.

“I am very sorry to have disappointed and upset many people with the phrase that was written on the cap that I wore during the rehearsal,” he said.

“I take very seriously the disappointment and hurt that I caused with my carelessness in wearing [the cap] without adequately examining the historical and political meaning of the phrase,” he added.

“All I can say is that I am sorry. There is no excuse for it. I was careless and left a lot to be desired,” he continued.

In closing, he said he would “consider everything more deeply before acting in the future.”

“I will humbly accept the comments and criticisms regarding my mistake,” he said, adding that the cap had been “disposed of immediately.”

“I once again apologize,” he added, bowing his head once again.

Jungkook was discharged from the military with the rank of sergeant on Wednesday. He drew attention on Friday with a surprise guest appearance at J-Hope’s encore performance for his solo world tour.

By Lee Jung-gook, staff reporter

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