BTS ARMYs Upset "FAKE LOVE" Was Censored, American DJ Responds

After BTS‘s stunning performance at the Billboard Music Awards and winning the Top Social Artist award for the second year in a row, A.R.M.Ys are soaring on cloud nine! However, fans have expressed their frustration when a censored version of “FAKE LOVE” aired on American radio.

Yoongi's verse sounds even more disjointed because the US radio version of "Fake Love" has the word "naega" censored out of it #iVoteBTSBBMAs @BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/BJheKQOuML

— Marcel | Seokjin supremacist (@marcel_twt) May 18, 2018

The problem occurred when some fans noticed that the group’s latest hit was missing the word “naega” (which means “I” in Korean).

Censored US radio version of "Fake Love"
I guess they think people might think Hobie is using the n word when he raps "naega" I wonder how they are going to do that on the BBMA's#iVoteBTSBBMAs @BTS_twt @BTSx50States pic.twitter.com/j9GVjnuJ7H

— Marcel | Seokjin supremacist (@marcel_twt) May 18, 2018

They observed the difference in the song even before the group performed at the BBMAs which left many fans wondering if it was going to be censored on the show too.

BTS fans worry about why it’s being screened and how people who don’t understand the difference in language will react to it.

US radio blocking out the word “naega” which means “i” in korean in fake love is really…. bad…. because if people go looking for the uncensored version and see that word censored they’re going to assume that they blocked it out because bts were trying to imitate the N word.

— ☕️ (@gangtanboys) May 18, 2018

They are worried that other people will assume that BTS are trying to imitate the N word and are racist.

On top of that worry they are also concerned that people won’t be willing to look up the lyrics, causing all sorts of misunderstandings.

the general american isn’t going to do research and find out what the word naega means but instead be stupid and say that they’re saying the N word and give a blow to bts’ US career. if they censor it at the BBMAs they might as well not even perform that damn song cause….

— ☕️ (@gangtanboys) May 18, 2018

A.R.M.Ys believe if the word keeps being censored out of the song on American radio then it could be a huge blow to BTS’s U.S career.

the general american isn’t going to do research and find out what the word naega means but instead be stupid and say that they’re saying the N word and give a blow to bts’ US career. if they censor it at the BBMAs they might as well not even perform that damn song cause….

— ☕️ (@gangtanboys) May 18, 2018

The situation had become such an issue that fans gathered on Twitter to express their displeasure, hoping that they would be able to change the situation.

I'm pretty sure it's just to prevent misunderstanding. I'm 100% sure as a fellow American that most Americans will not look up the lyrics for the song so they will assume they are saying the N word which would be bad overall for a worldwide performance. Sucks but it's true.

— 2184_V (@V_4812) May 18, 2018

come on rlly america pic.twitter.com/WJHIPwoXAV

— Laura 🇧🇷 FAKE LOVE (@mingeniushope) May 18, 2018

This is kinda dumb to be honest… I mean it’s a whole different language and besides why censored it now they didn’t do that with DNA so why is it any different with Fake Love

— 모찌 (@snowymiin) May 18, 2018

That's disrespectful toward BTS and their fans

— Tae's Jazmyn 💜 (@ARMYgirl9617) May 18, 2018

100% agree. I don't understand the people who are trying to justify it. There's literally no valid justification for doing this. It's their LANGUAGE. 🤦🏻‍♀️

— outro: tear // ana 🌙 (@snowflake_myg) May 19, 2018

Ok but the radio literally plays curse words all the time and it isnt one anyway soooo might as well throw the whole columbia away

— ☄️ (@_k_v_w_) May 19, 2018

After A.R.M.Ys vented their frustrations on Twitter they began contacting different radio stations to voice their complaints. This in turn prompted a response from one DJ who explained the whole situation.

#BTSARMY I’m getting flooded with tweets & emails about the edit of @bts_bighit #FakeLove on @1027kj103 so here’s my statement. Lovvvvvve You! 💙👊 pic.twitter.com/TaQg0VuRr9

— JJ Ryan (@JJRyanOnAir) May 18, 2018

After reading his response, fans decided that it was a smart decision to censor the song.

US gp can be racist, by hearing "naega" they can hear other words. If they hear that word, it can cause BTS to have a bad rep, which can diminish their chance in the US. With censored version, there would be no miscommunication. it's safer with the censored version

— Neelam ☪ 🐙 (@Neelam_CY) May 18, 2018

Honestly I'm really upset by this but I can see why they did it and I find it so unfortunate but the US isn't the only one with ridiculous censorships KBS in Korea wouldn't let EXO perform 'Lotto' and Winner perform 'Everyday' because their song had the word "Lotto"

— F4F (@IVOTEBTS_LY) May 20, 2018

There was a huge mishap in Big Bang’s Bae Bae where GDragon said “Naega” when a shit ton of non-kpoppers thought he shouted out the “N” word and got extremely offended. I suppose BigHit is saving themselves the trouble by censoring it out for the radio stations. It sucks tho tbh.

— kyohei `nsfr (@amourkinked) May 20, 2018

You missed the point. There could be US controversy about it after they preform. We know what the word is because we know BTS, ppl who don’t, it could be a big deal. By censoring it,they are advoiding a US problem. I don’t want them to censors it but 🤷🏽‍♀️ it’s understandable

— Name : Meelah (@PigsAreMyWorld) May 18, 2018

Regardless of whether the censorship was a good idea or not, it appears the censored version is here to stay. Have a listen to their BBMA performance and note Suga‘s rap.