"BTS Promotes Homosexuality"? Birthday Billboard Removed Following Pakistani Politician's Claim

An advertisement poster celebrating the birthday of Jungkook, a member of the idol group BTS, was taken down in Pakistan.
[Photo by Twitter]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] In Pakistan, a birthday celebration advertisement poster for Jungkook, a member of the idol group BTS, was removed. This was due to the claim by a Pakistani politician that "BTS promotes homosexuality."

On the 4th (local time), according to Indian media Republic World and American media Vice, a birthday celebration advertisement poster for Jungkook was installed on a busy street in Gujranwala, Punjab province, Pakistan, on the 1st.

The media reported that this poster was part of advertisements installed worldwide to celebrate Jungkook's birthday and was commissioned by a BTS fan. The poster included Jungkook's photo along with phrases such as "Happy 24th Birthday" and "From all Gujranwala Army (Army is the name of BTS fan club)."

However, the poster was removed just a few hours after installation. This happened after Furqan Aziz Butt, a member of an Islamic party and a candidate for local council, saw the poster on social media.

In an interview with Vice, Butt explained the reason for the removal, saying, "There are many young people in the city, and BTS has a negative influence on them." He further claimed, "They encourage young people to engage in wrong behavior and promote homosexuality."

He also addressed the BTS fans who installed the billboard, saying, "They call themselves Gujranwala Army, but here there is only the Pakistan Army." Butt wrote on his social media as well, "Our religious city Gujranwala will not tolerate becoming a hotbed for homosexuality and such."

After the advertisement poster was removed, local BTS fans expressed their anger and disappointment openly, Vice reported.

One local BTS fan shared the news on social media, saying, "BTS has never used vulgar phrases in their songs. BTS only tells us to 'love yourself and be happy,'" adding, "That politician does not realize how much he is damaging Pakistan's image."

Another netizen commented, "Older people think BTS looks too thin and too feminine because of their appearance and makeup."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.