BTS Interviewer Syke Called ARMY “Insane”, And Nobody Is Having It
A new BTS interview with radio personality Syke (@SykeOnAir) is receiving mixed reactions from fans.
In this interview, recorded on February 21, BTS were asked about the story behind their new album, Map of the Soul: 7, their tour plans, future goals, current favorite artists, and more.
On February 29, Syke of Syke & MJ in the Morning began receiving criticism for his Twitter interactions with ARMY.
Despite the fact I got hella hate from a few members of the #BTSArmy this week, I know that there are many good army members out there! For those peeps, I’ll release my @BTS_twt interview tonight on IGTV. ☺️ pic.twitter.com/AHlaltI1j2
— Syke (@SykeOnAir) March 4, 2020
The majority of these interactions took place in the comment section of this teaser post.
#BTSArmy – wanna know when you’ll see the @BTS_twt interview? Click the link, follow the NEW “UpNextHour” IG page, and peep the post – https://t.co/A5MoNuALnb pic.twitter.com/igphrfyEfT
— Syke (@SykeOnAir) February 29, 2020
Many Twitter users felt that Syke’s online responses to them were unprofessional.
In addition to his teaser post, Syke also received backlash for posting a photo of hair (not BTS’s) as a “joke” that pokes full at “crazy fanbases”.
In western media, ARMY has often been stereotyped as obsessive, crazy fangirls. Unsurprisingly, ARMYs (and K-Pop fans in general) are tired of being portrayed this way, which is why many were not happy with Syke’s comment about them in his interview.
“Let’s talk about the BTS ARMY,” Syke said. “These fans, you guys know, they’re pretty…insane.” According to these Twitter users, BTS’s reactions reflect ARMY’s own feelings on the subject.
NOOO LOOK AT BTS REACTION TO HIM CALLING ARMYS INSANE I REALLY CANT BELIEVE. THEY EVEN ROLLED THEIR EYES 😭 pic.twitter.com/Ux0rrBmMS1
— 남준이⁷ (@conceptnamjoon) March 5, 2020
imagine calling army’s insane in front of a man who has army tattooed on his knuckles….. pic.twitter.com/qItLcAXPX2
— ً lani⁷ (@moonchildpjms) March 5, 2020
the boys faces after the radio host referred to armys as insane pic.twitter.com/Hton7tWNWA
— ☁️ 𝚔𝚊𝚠𝚒𝚛𝚊☁️ (@cracktaetae) March 5, 2020
Their faces when the interviewer called army insane sends please dkjskfk pic.twitter.com/91FS7Pu4zw
— sof⁷ (@jjks_gcf) March 5, 2020
Although Syke is not the first interviewer to misrepresent the special bond between BTS and ARMY, fans are hoping that future interviewers will take time to get to know their fandom better.
Jungkook looking actually dissapointed during an interview is so fkn rare it just goes to show this really wasn't it. Also the "insane armys" narrative is so tired, we're so diverse in age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality etc.
— Paola ON⁷ 💜 (@moons_persona) March 5, 2020