BTS member Jimin is gearing up for the release of his second solo album, ‘MUSE,’ on July 19, even as he fulfills his military duties. Prior to the album drop, fans eagerly await the pre-release of the track ‘Smeraldo Garden Marching Band (feat. Loco)’ on June 28. Global supporters have rallied behind the release, actively advocating for official purchasing channels through Big Hit Music, Universal Music Group, and Geffen Records on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
However, controversy arose when Ray Kurzeka, Vice President and Head of Streaming at Geffen Records, responsible for BTS’s U.S. distribution, stirred backlash by praising another song as “song of the year” alongside a link to a track by Gracie Abrams featuring Taylor Swift. This gesture was interpreted by fans as dismissive towards Jimin and K-pop, sparking accusations of Western bias and disrespect towards Asian artists. The ARMY community expressed disappointment and demanded an apology from Kurzeka, urging clearer communication on purchasing options.
Instead of addressing the criticism, Kurzeka deleted the post in question, privatized his X account, and deactivated all personal social media profiles, intensifying tensions. Both Geffen Records and BTS’s agency, HYBE, have remained silent on the matter, frustrating fans who expected support and protection for Jimin amidst the controversy.