Demand for a Public Apology from iHeartRadio’s 'The Woody Show' for Xenophobic Remarks 

 

To: iHeartRadio, ALT 98.7 FM, and the hosts of The Woody Show:

We, the global music community, advocates for respectful broadcasting and fans of BTS (ARMY) are demanding a formal public apologies from the hosts of iHeartRadio’s syndicated program, The Woody Show, cast, Production Team and Accountability from the Station.

What Happened:

During the September 21, 2026 broadcast titled "angry BTS fans," hosts Woody and Menace engaged in highly unprofessional, disrespectful, and culturally insensitive behavior on air. While addressing online fan feedback regarding the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the hosts crossed the line from professional commentary into targeted harassment and casual xenophobia.

Mocking Cultural Names: The hosts intentionally mispronounced and openly mocked the name of global artist Jungkook. Disparaging an individual's cultural name on a nationwide broadcast is not "humour"—it is casual racism.

Targeted Fandom Defamation:  The hosts repeatedly insulted their own audience, calling the BTS fandom (ARMY) "losers, losers, losers" and using explicit, vulgar language on air to state they wanted to tell the fandom to "shove it" and "eat shit".

The comments made were not only unprofessional but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination against a globally accepted artist, Jungkook of BTS,  and the Group's global supporters. Such behaviour is unacceptable, especially on a platform that has the power to influence millions of listeners. It promotes a divisive and hostile environment and undermines the discipline and hard work that artists like BTS put into their craft. The hosts mocked Jungkook's name for no apparent reason and BTS fans' culture and dedication, ignoring the values of diversity and acceptance that iHeartRadio should stand for.

Criticism of online commentary is a right, but hiding behind a microphone to degrade a globally accepted artist's identity and hurl blanket, unprofessional insults at a massive global community is unacceptable. iHeartRadio claims to foster inclusion and respect, yet The Woody Show was permitted to broadcast toxic, xenophobic rhetoric across more than 30 nationwide stations.

This petition isn't just about an apology. It’s about holding broadcasters accountable for their words and ensuring that all communities are treated with respect and dignity. The hosts' actions have tarnished the reputation of iHeartRadio, a brand many listeners, have trusted for balanced and honest entertainment. Their actions contradict iHeartRadio’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Woody has issued an apology to Jungkook, BTS and ARMY on September 25th, but this is not where accountability ends.  (see update posted)

We acknowledge Woody's apology. But one apology does not address everyone's participation or the responsibilities of the organisations behind the programme.

The original conversation was public. The response to it should be public too.

An apology is a step, but we haven't seen Accountability. This is what should come next.

This is not just about Jungkook or ARMY. It is about recognising that what happened was unacceptable and taking meaningful accountability so that similar behaviour does not happen again. People are entitled to have different opinions, to disagree, and even to criticise public figures—but disagreement does not have to become degrading, demeaning or xenophobic. Broadcasters and their teams have a responsibility to recognise when a line has been crossed and to ensure their platforms are not used to normalise or encourage this kind of behaviour. A genuine apology should therefore be accompanied by reflection, accountability and concrete steps to prevent it from happening again—not only for Jungkook and ARMY, but for anyone who could be subjected to similar treatment in the future.

Our Demands:

We are calling on The Woody Show, iHeartRadio and ALT 98.7 FM to:

Acknowledge the conduct of everyone involved, rather than allowing responsibility to rest solely on Woody.
Issue a collective public apology from those who participated in the segment.
Make the apology publicly accessible and permanent, rather than allowing it to disappear after a few hours.
Publish the apology through the official channels of The Woody Show, iHeartRadio and ALT 98.7 FM, not solely through an iHeartFestival account.
Address the broadcast on air, where the original comments were made.
Explain what steps will be taken internally to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Provide appropriate cultural-sensitivity and respectful-conduct training for relevant staff.
Demonstrate that accountability applies to the entire production, not simply to the person who issued an apology.

Our Voice:

By signing this petition, we are standing up against xenophobia in media. We are rallying for an industry that celebrates diversity and creativity while acknowledging the impact of words and actions on international audiences. Your support can help make a difference and remind broadcasters of their responsibility to uphold the values of respect, equality, and unity.

Please sign this petition to demand justice for BTS fans worldwide and promote a culture of acceptance and understanding.