BTS Concerts in Indonesia Face Calls for Cancellation Amid Escalating Feud Between Southeast Asian and Korean Netizens

 

If you have recently visited X or Threads, you may have noticed an escalating online conflict between Southeast Asian users, offer referred to as "SEAblings," and Korean netizens. The controversy began after reports emerged that Korean fansites had secretly brought large professional cameras and lenses into a concert by DAY6 in Malaysia, despite strict rules prohibiting recording equipment. 

Local fans criticized what they perceived as preferential treatment toward Korean fansites and argued that they had disrespected local regulations. Meanwhile, some Korean netizens defended the fansites and accused Malaysian fans of overreacting. Disparaging and discriminatory remarks made a segment of Korean netizens toward Southeast Asian fans sparked widespread backlash. Many SEA fans emphasized that, despite being a major consumer market, they were not being treated with due respect. 

The dispute soon extended beyond K-pop and evolved into broader cross-cultural attacks. Korean commenters criticized Southeast Asians' appearance, culture, and economic conditions, while Southeast Asian users responded by highlighting social issues in South Korea, including suicides rates, declining birth rates, and the prevalence of cosmetic surgery. 

Even Korean artists were inadvertently drawn into the controversy by extremist fans. Members of BTS, particularly RM, became targets if hostility amid clashes between Korean and international fans. As a result, the group's scheduled concert in Indonesia this December became a subject of heated debate. 

As tensions intensitied, some BTS fans began calling for the group to skip the Indonesia tour stops. Viral posts claimed that the members had been unfairly targeted and argued that BTS should not perform in a country where hostility seemed prevalent. Other expressed concerns about the members' safety and criticized what they perceived as attempts to exploit BTS's popularity for political or promotional purposes.

Some of the circulating opinions included:

— “I hope Joon skips Indonesia during the tour. Locals in that country are racist and violent at this point. They might physically harm him.”

— “Feeling sorry for Indonesian ARMYs, but I've never seen people from a country being this deranged.”

— “I really hope BTS cancels their concert in Indonesia. It's getting ridiculous, from jobless locals and K-pop stans harassing them to the government wanting to use them.”

— “Indonesians have been waging a racist war against Namjoon for months. First his looks, then Tae over a brand deal, then Jungkook. Bow they're back again. BTS needs to cancel promotions there.”

— “Free BTS from the Indonesian government and locals, please.”

However, many other ARMYs strongly opposed these calls. They argued that local fans should not be blamed for online harassment and noted that BTS has faced racism in other countries without similar demands to cancel concerts. They emphasized that the real problem lies in toxic online behaviour and meaningless social media conflicts, which should not affect artists or their fans.

Supportive opinions circulating online including:

● Don't say things like this. It hurts Indonesian ARMYs too. We've tried to report and block these people, but they keep coming back. 

● I don't think Indonesian ARMYs are at fault. The U.S. media has been racist toward BTS for years, and no one asked them to stop touring there. 

● There is no reason to deprive innocent fans of concerts. Punishing them is similar to harassing innocent Korean influencers. 

● You talk as if Indonesian ARMYs doesn't matter. BTS hasn't visited in about nine years, and now people want them to cancel besuse of a few hateful accounts. 

● They perform for ARMYs, not for haters. Nothing will happens. Their schedules in packed, and our turn is near the New Year. 

● This is not Indonesia’s fault! We’re also tired of having to deal with this issue every single day.

● Seeing all of this breaks my heart. I've fought so hard to defend BTS. I've prayed that this is due would be resolved do they can return to my hometown after nine years.