BTS ‘The Tonight Show’ Controversy: Netizens Slam Jimmy Fallon Over ‘Anybody Here From The North?’ Remark

BTS has made a powerful return in 2026 with their fifth studio album 'Arirang', marking their first group project in four years due to mandatory military service. The group celebrated this by appearing on 'The Tonight Show' starring Jimmy Fallon on March 25 and 26, 2026, marking their major American television comeback after their previous 'BTS Week' in 2021. However, the highly anticipated episode turned sour with racist and xenophobic jokes during a taping that sparked outrage among fans. Read below to know the details of the controversy, remarks, and fans' reactions.

BTS ‘The Tonight Show’ Controversy: Who Made The Racist Remark On BTS?

BTS appeared on 'The Tonight Show' for a two-night event featuring their new release 'Arirang' and interviews, where the show's warm-up comedian, Seth Herzog, made racist and xenophobic jokes during the show’s taping. He reportedly asked the audience, 'Anybody here from the North? No? Nobody? Fans perceived this to be derogatory to BTS's South Korean heritage.

ALSO READ- BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE ARIRANG: 5 Highlights From K-pop Icon Global Comeback That Won Hearts

Backlash Against Jimmy Fallon And The Tonight Show

Due to the heavy backlash, Herzog apologised to the group, but Jimmy was heavily targeted by the netizens for the lack of sensitivity and mismanagement.

Nikki, 'Really disappointed and sad about what happened on the Jimmy Fallon Show. Racist remarks about BTS and judging ARMYs based on looks are just so disrespectful. This isn’t even about being sensitive; it’s about basic respect.'

JIMMY FALLON APOLOGIZE TO BTS

JIMMY FALLON APOLOGIZE TO ARMYs

Really disappointed and sad about what happened on Jimmy Fallon Show. Racist remarks about BTS & judging ARMYs based on looks is just so disrespectful. This isn’t even about being sensitive, it’s about basic respect.

JIMMY FALLON APOLOGIZE TO BTS
JIMMY FALLON APOLOGIZE TO ARMYs

— Nikki⁷•ᴗ•ᴬᴿᴵᴿᴬᴺᴳ|⟭⟬⊙⊝⊜ ⟬⟭|🔍⍤⃝🔎💜 (@BTS_4ver_7) March 26, 2026

lulu, 'Racism in this big 2026??? Fire this guy @Thezog for making racist remarks on BTS. It’s not funny. Your staff treated the ARMYS poorly, and apologise to those who put their time, energy and money into this show. This is disrespectful to both BTS and ARMY.

Racism in this big 2026??? Fire this guy @Thezog for making racist remarks on BTS. It’s not funny.
Your staff treated ARMYS poorly, apologise to those who put their time, energy and money to be on this show. This is disrespectful to both BTS and ARMY.

— lulu⁷⊙⊝⊜🪭 (@875ing) March 26, 2026

Nana, 'We do not tolerate racism—take immediate action against your staff who disrespected ARMYs, judged them based on looks, and made racist remarks on BTS during their performance. @Thezog APOLOGIZE TO BTS @jimmyfallon APOLOGIZE TO ARMYs

❗RT & REPLY

We do not tolerate racism—take immediate action against your staff who disrespected ARMYs, judged them based on looks, and made racist remarks on BTS during their performance.@Thezog APOLOGIZE TO BTS @jimmyfallon APOLOGIZE TO ARMYs https://t.co/gFa2SyIr99

— Nana⁷ 🪭 (@_nanacoreie) March 26, 2026

cha, 'In this 2026 era, y’all still like this when it comes to bts. They guest on your show multiple times, and now that we waited for years for them to be complete, y’all treat them with racist and xenophobic remarks. Apologise to bts and ARMYs for how unprofessional y’all are.'

In this 2026 era, y’all still like this when it comes to bts. They guest on your show for multiple times and now that we waited for years for them to be complete, y’all treat them with racist and xenophobic remarks. Apologize to bts and armys for how unprofessional y’all are.

— cha (@chrltt_vlr) March 25, 2026

GUINHOOO, 'Y’all do realise that Jimmy Fallon is just as guilty as his team, right?

What happens at the show has all to be approved BY HIM, and the racist remarks at BTS were approved on purpose. Both parties have to be held accountable. @Thezog APOLOGIZE TO BTS'

Y’all do realize that Jimmy Fallon is just as guilty as his team right?
What happens at the show has all to be approved BY HIM, and the racist remarks at BTS were approved on purpose. Both parties have to be held accountable. @Thezog APOLOGIZE TO BTS @jimmyfallon @bts_bighit

— GUINHOOO 🍊 (@army__bts__M) March 25, 2026

Why BTS Fans Are Calling The Joke Racist And Xenophobic

BTS ARMY, also known as Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth, a global fandom for the K-pop band, have labeled the joke as racist and xenophobic as it targets the seven globally recognised South Korean artists' identity. The separation of North and South Korea is deeply sensitive and painful due to war and political tension, and these comments are a setback to the progress they have made. The 'Anti-Asian' jokes also targeted their culture and treated them as outsiders in Western media.

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