Controversy Erupts as Italian RJ Disrespects BTS’ Jin: Fans Demand Apology

The global BTS fandom, ARMY, has taken a stand against what they perceive as blatant disrespect toward BTS’ oldest member, Jin, by a well-known Italian radio host. Marco Mazzoli, a host of the popular Italian radio show Lo Zoo di 105, has sparked outrage after allegedly making derogatory comments about Jin’s solo track Running Wild during a live broadcast.

The Incident That Sparked Global Outrage

During a recent episode of Lo Zoo di 105, Marco Mazzoli was heard using curse words while reacting negatively to Running Wild, expressing his dislike in an unprofessional manner. According to translations shared by fans, Mazzoli even referred to the song as a “pain in the ass” and repeatedly asked for it to be turned off. His comments didn’t stop there—he sarcastically acknowledged BTS’ immense global popularity but followed up with dismissive remarks, indicating he had no regard for the inevitable backlash from BTS’ dedicated fanbase.

Fans Rally to Defend Jin

As soon as the clip circulated on social media, BTS ARMY mobilized to demand an apology from Mazzoli and the radio station. Fans trended hashtags such as #ApologizeToJin and #RespectBTS on X (formerly Twitter), calling out the radio host’s behavior as unprofessional and disrespectful. Many also took to Instagram, flooding Mazzoli’s latest posts with comments condemning his actions.

Outraged fans even urged BTS’ label, HYBE, to take necessary action to protect Jin from unwarranted public ridicule. Many pointed out that while music is subjective, publicly humiliating an artist with offensive language goes beyond expressing an opinion—it becomes a targeted attack.

Mazzoli’s Justification and Fan Response

Despite the overwhelming backlash, Marco Mazzoli refused to offer an apology. Instead, he attempted to justify his words, claiming he was merely exercising his freedom of expression. While he acknowledged that his remarks might have been harsh, he dismissed the BTS ARMY’s reaction as “pathological,” further fueling the controversy.

Fans, however, were unimpressed with his justification, labeling it a “pathetic excuse.” They emphasized that critique is one thing, but using derogatory language and disrespecting an artist on a public platform crosses the line of acceptable behavior.

What’s Next?

As of now, BTS’ agency, HYBE Labels, has not released an official statement regarding the controversy. Fans continue to demand accountability, with many hoping that the issue will not be overlooked and that similar incidents will be prevented in the future.

This controversy highlights a recurring issue in the entertainment industry—how artists, particularly from non-Western markets like K-pop, are sometimes dismissed or disrespected in mainstream media. With BTS’ global influence, their fans remain vigilant in ensuring that such behavior does not go unchallenged.