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| Rapper B-Free belatedly apologized to BTS and its fans for disrespectful remarks in 2013. / Captured from B-Free Instagram |
BTS fans say B-Free's apology unacceptable
By Jung Hae-myoung
B-Free, a 34-year-old Korean rapper, apologized to BTS and its ARMY fan club on Sunday for his past remarks about two BTS members ― RM and Suga ― on an internet talk show.
His belated apology came as a YouTube video featuring his comments from six years ago spread quickly, rousing the ire of some loyal BTS fans and causing a backlash against the rapper.
"To BTS and their fans, I am so sorry for all the emotional pain I've caused. Please forgive me. Wish the best," B-Free wrote on Twitter, Sunday.
In the YouTube video, B-Free and the two BTS members ― RM and Suga ― appeared on KBH Hiphop Radio in 2013, to celebrate the boy band's one-year anniversary.
Then B-Free consistently attacked BTS with disrespectful comments and derided them for their choice to quit being rappers and become K-pop idols. He called them "people who could have continued on the path to become rappers but couldn't resist the temptation of money."
He made fun of BTS for their stage costumes and makeup and said they looked like girls.
Commenting on BTS' music, he asked, "Is copying Kanye West's music really a sign of respect for your favorite musician?"
When Suga mentioned the tough times he had gone through, particularly when he made a song worth less than 10 won, B-Free replied, "We are all the same people who are going through the same thing, but in the end it's a question of endurance."
Suga then said he really wanted to change that situation, to which B-Free retorted "With what? [Big Hit Entertainment CEO] Bang Si-hyuk?"
Audience members at the show groaned as B-Free showed no signs of backing down.
After the recording, Bang Si-hyuk, the CEO of Big Hit Entertainment, was furious about the incident. "I think the basic attitude of hip-hop is expressing what is inside your heart. But the thing is there must be the right timing and venue for you to speak about your genuine feelings, right? The show was held to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the channel. Wouldn't it have been wise if he had watched his tongue?"
Bang went to B-Free's management agency to confront him over his remarks, but could not meet him.
After the broadcast, B-Free wrote on Twitter that "It is fun that I could influence so many people," and then cursed BTS.
Years later, B-Free has become public enemy number one for BTS fans. His comments have been uploaded on YouTube with English subtitles for international ARMY fans. With a larger group of people understanding what he said to the two BTS members, B-Free's music videos have been bombarded with hate comments and downvotes. B-Free's "James Bond" video now has seven times more dislikes than likes.
Despite his recent apology, most of the group's fans refuse to accept it.
"Why is B-Free trying to apologize now? He's like six years too late," one ARMY member wrote on Twitter.
"He had so many other chances to apologize but it took him six years? I hate this situation so much that I can't even watch a second of that video without getting fumed," another added.
One Korean BTS fan said, "I am more surprised that he even thought of apologizing after so many years passed."
B-Free is one of the better-known rappers on the Korean hip-hop scene, but is no stranger to controversy. He has verbally attacked a number of other rappers and idols, including Sehun from EXO, saying "he looks gay."
