As fans know, after BTS completed their performance at iHeartRadio on September 18, some ARMYs raised concerns about several issues involving the organizers, including BTS’ performance time as well as sound and broadcast problems. These fans complained that the organizers had treated the group unfairly and shown them less respect compared with other artists, despite BTS being the headliner of the night. In their view, the way BTS was treated did not reflect the dedication they had put into their performance.

On September 21, The Woody Show aired a segment titled “angry BTS fans.” Host Woody, along with his co-host Menace and several others, argued that ARMY’s criticism was exaggerated or unfounded, while also making harshly mocking remarks about BTS and ARMY.

One of the details that particularly angered fans was the way the hosts deliberately mispronounced the BTS members’ names as a form of mockery. Jungkook’s name, in particular, was repeatedly turned into variations such as “Jang Jukes” and “Jukes Jin Cook.” The hosts also repeatedly called ARMY “losers” and said they wanted to find fans’ accounts so they could tell them to “eat sh1t” or “shove it".

Clearly, this was not a harmless joke but a sign of disrespect toward non-Western names and Asian culture, and more specifically, ŕäċïṩṃ, while also deeply insulting the entire fan community. A wave of backlash quickly spread, along with calls from fans in various countries demanding that The Woody Show and iHeartRadio issue a public apology.

Several days after the controversy escalated, Woody — the host of The Woody Show — finally officially addressed the situation!

On September 25, he posted a video on the show’s official Instagram account, in which he directly apologized to BTS, Jungkook, and ARMY.

Woody admitted that he should have taken the time to learn how to pronounce Jungkook’s name correctly. He also took responsibility for his defensive attitude and the inappropriate remarks made during the show. The host apologized to BTS, apologized to Jungkook, and specifically apologized for the comments he made about ARMY.

He also highlighted BTS’ achievements, stating that they are one of the biggest groups in the world, while acknowledging the strong global community the group has built and ARMY’s pαѕѕion. “I just should have handled the whole thing better. That’s on me,” Woody said, expressing regret over the way he had behaved.

After the apology video was posted, some fans felt somewhat reαѕѕured. However, the majority of ARMYs still did not consider it a full official apology. One of the most frequently raised concerns was that Woody apologized on Instagram rather than directly on air, where the controversial remarks had originally been made. Many fans demanded that he repeat the apology publicly during the next show.

Fans also pointed out that Woody was the only person to apologize so far, while the colleagues who had participated in the mockery of BTS and ARMY that day had yet to issue similar apologies. ARMYs said they would not easily let the matter go until iHeartRadio and the other people involved acknowledged what happened and issued a public apology. Here is how fans reacted:

- Glad he apologized even if I think it's not sincere. Don't give this guy any direct engagement on this either tho, as I believe it could just be another attempt at engagement farming army like he did when he raige baited us in the first place

- Someone said that his advertisers weren’t happy with him. I wasn't sure if this is genuine, but making a public apology must have been torture for him. He's already etched into the history books of BTS and ARMY, that's never going to disappear from the internet

- His teammates who also joined in on the negativity and belittlling did not join this apology video. They should also issue their own apologies imo

- The apology should come from the entire team, not only from this person. Not the guy who attempted to stop them and call it out “That’s going too far.” But the other two people in the room also need to be held accountable: the person who failed to correct JK’s name and repeated the wrong one, and the person who kept encouraging the comments that belittled the fandom. Their roles should not be overlooked.

- In case this weirdo lurks on sm to cherry-pick comments again- it’s good that your company made you do this, bad that your teammates threw you under the bus alone and didn’t join because they all found it all so entertaining at the moment

- Suddenly, he knows everything about BTS and ARMYs. Isn't it his job to do it before he opened his mouth the last time. The apology is so forced and unsincere though.

- Nope. This is not it. He didn’t just say Jung Kook’s name wrong, he was disrespectful in his attempts and they all laughed about it. @iHeartRadio @iHeartFestival this was a poor attempt and I’m still hoping the guys choose to skip your festival in the future

- He doesn't mean this. He has no other choice to get his a*s out of the fire

- There’s absolutely no sincerity in what he’s said. He doesn’t believe a single word of it! He’s reading what someone else wrote for him. He’s trying to put this to rest. He and iHeartRadio really must take ARMY for idiots