The Tonight Show's Seth Herzog faced backlash for a joke about BTS, leading to apologies from the show and Herzog after fan protests.
March/26/2026 18:06Related Groups & Members
One of America's top talk shows, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (hereafter "The Tonight Show"), is causing controversy due to inappropriate remarks directed at BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan). Following intense protests from fans, the show and its MC apologized. On the 25th (local time), according to reports from an American media outlet, Seth Herzog, the MC responsible for creating the atmosphere on "The Tonight Show," recently made a joke about BTS during a recording, which drew strong backlash from fans. The controversy began during a time for communication with the audience. Before BTS's appearance, Seth Herzog asked the audience about their hometowns, jokingly asking, "Is there anyone here from the North (North Korea)? No one?" This reference to North Korea elicited an immediate cold reaction from the audience, especially from the global fans who had gathered to see BTS, who deemed it a clear act of racism and disrespect. After the broadcast, online communities, including social media, were flooded with the anger of ARMY (the name for BTS fans). Fans continued to protest fiercely, calling it a "ignorant joke mocking Korean history" and demanding a formal apology from the show. As the controversy escalated, Seth Herzog and the show quickly moved to address the situation. According to local media, it was revealed that Seth Herzog directly apologized to BTS regarding the incident. The broadcasting station also summoned him, issuing a stern warning about the matter and promising to prevent a recurrence. However, fans' feelings still seem unresolved. One fan expressed, "It is lamentable that despite BTS's global achievements, they still become the target of such outdated jokes." BTS is set to appear on "The Tonight Show" for two days on the 25th and 26th, showcasing interviews and dazzling performances.
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