Speak Yourself Against Domestic Violence
The Issue
We, as a group from the ARMY fandom, are reaching out to BTS and HYBE Corporation, asking for public reflection on a recent event that has caused concern, frustration, and pain within our community. We hope that our voice and, above all, the voices of survivors of violence, will not be silenced.
BACKGROUND
On August 11, 2026, BTS members V and Jung Kook connected live with fans via Weverse. The livestream included the members listening to songs, including several by singer Chris Brown. The next day, two other members, RM and j-hope, flew from Baltimore, Maryland to Toronto, Canada to attend the R&B Tour, a concert co-headlined by Chris Brown and Usher Raymond. During the concert, j-hope shared multiple videos of the show to his professional Instagram account, tagging Chris Brown's official account in one of the posts. After the show, the members met with Brown and Raymond back stage to take photos. A short time later, Brown posted a photo posing with both members.
OUR CONCERNS
An artist cannot be separated from their own art, especially when they are still actively benefiting from the consumption of that art. Art is, in and of itself, a reflection of the artist. Publicly promoting someone with a documented history of abuse, regardless of intent, supports both the artist and their art by providing visibility, money, cultural relevance, and a platform. Support is not limited to verbally condoning a person; it is also expressed through our actions. Accountability does not exist in isolation, but also requires consequences. When an abuser keeps receiving public and professional support, it reinforces an environment where they face no real repercussions for their actions. It signals that support will always be there no matter how they behave, creating conditions that enable the abusive behavior to continue.
Chris Brown is a clear example. He has a well-documented history of violence against women, including a 2009 domestic violence conviction, multiple accusations of physical violence and sexual assault, and an ongoing case for violent conduct for which he is currently awaiting sentencing. Yet, Brown still holds enormous power and influence. Rather than his violent behavior costing him his influence, continued support has allowed him to maintain it. Regardless of BTS members' intentions, streaming Brown's music, attending his concert, and posting videos and photos with Brown were viewed by a significant part of the ARMY community, as well as by domestic violence survivors both inside and outside of the fandom, as a form of normalization or endorsement of abusers such as Brown.
By posting and tagging Brown on their professional social media accounts, RM and j-hope provided visibility for Brown to their 100 million+ followers, the majority of whom are women. A large number of Army immediately spoke out, sharing their disappointment that RM and j-hope chose to not only attend a concert by a known abuser, but also post and tag him for their millions of followers to see. A hashtag campaign began trending on social media platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram, as well as Hybe Corporation's own Weverse platform.
Fans have been waiting for the members to address these issues, but have been met with silence. The members continue to post to their social media accounts and livestream on Weverse, refusing to address the multitude of comments and requests to speak to the situation. Simultaneously, users voicing their opposition to the appearance of support for Brown have had their comments deleted and their profiles restricted on Weverse while words such as "morals" have also been banned, effectively silencing those asking for accountability.
As fans, we understand we cannot control every action by our idols, nor do we wish to. However, BTS is one of the largest groups in the world, and their actions have global impact. This current situation is counter to the image they've built and their rich history of speaking on social issues. We believe that silence in situations like this carries a cost: the cost borne by women who have experienced violence and who once again see incidents like this fade away without any public reflection. We cannot meaningfully condemn abuse while continuing to protect the platforms of those who perpetrate it. When we collectively give power and legitimacy to people who abuse it, we become complicit in preserving the conditions that fail to hold abusers accountable.
OUR REQUEST
A public statement of awareness acknowledging BTS's stance on the above mentioned situations so fans are not left wondering where the group's current standards lie. Should BTS choose to acknowledge the impact interactions like this can have in regards to maintaining the social power and platform of abusers in the industry, and the impact that has on survivors of violence, we ask they provide a clear reaffirmation of the values BTS and HYBE have historically promoted such as speaking out against violence.
OUR COMMITMENT
ARMY who have signed this petition are seeking to approach this situation with maturity and understanding. We are committing to having meaningful conversations within the fandom that amplify the voices of victims. We believe the fandom has the power to turn a moment of tension into a real opportunity for collective awareness. We commit to holding ourselves to the same standards we hold our idols, both providing and taking constructive feedback with grace and respect. We commit to respecting the requests of BTS members to communicate with them respectfully and challenge them to become better humans, just as we will ourselves. We will not accept nor tolerate any hate directed towards members.
-------------------
RESOURCES - TRIGGER WARNING FOR ACCOUNTS OF VIOLENCE
BTS against violence
On September 24, 2018 in New York City, BTS joined United Nations among other global businesses, educational organizations, and youth leaders to launch a partnership to provide quality education, training, or employment for every young person by 2030, tackling global challenges and encouraging empowerment. BTS were invited to speak in recognition of their partnership with Unicef on the #ENDviolence campaign. Group leader, RM, said:
"So, let’s all take one more step. We have learned to love ourselves, so now I urge you to “speak yourself. Tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity: speak yourself. Find your name, find your voice by speaking yourself."
They attended the United Nations again in September 2021, representing the South Korean Presidential Special Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, presenting their song "Permission to Dance” as a tribute to young people who embrace difficult realities and choose to take action for a brighter future.
Chris Brown's Legal Issues
February 8, 2009: At 19 years old, Brown punched, choked, and bit his then-girlfriend Rihanna, leaving her with visible facial injuries and in need of hospitalization. Brown turned himself into the police and later pled guilty to one count of felony assault. Similar accusations from a number of women have followed the artist in the ensuing 15 years.
June 14, 2012: Brown was allegedly involved in a brawl with fellow recording artist, Drake, and his entourage at a New York nightclub. Eight people were injured with broken bottles and punches.
January 27, 2013: Brown was allegedly involved in an altercation with recording artist, Frank Ocean, over a parking space outside a recording studio in West Hollywood, California. According to police reports, Brown pushed or punched the singer and homophobic slurs were directed at Ocean. Ocean did not press charges.
October 27, 2013: Brown was arrested for felony assault after allegedly punching a man outside the W Hotel in Washington D.C. Brown and his bodyguard allegedly punched the man and broke his nose after he had tried to get insert himself into a photo with Brown and two women.
November 2013: Brown voluntarily entered a rehabilitation program after his D.C. arrest but was kicked out two weeks later after he allegedly violently lashed out during a family therapy session, smashing the window of his mother’s car with a rock according to a probation report.Shortly after, he was ordered by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge to spend 90 days in a live-in rehab facility for anger management.
January 2016: Police in Las Vegas launched an investigation into the singer after a woman alleged that Brown had stolen her phone and hit her after she had tried to take a picture.
Brown is ordered to stay away from ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran. Tran and Brown had a relationship over the course of several years which ended in 2014. In 2017, a judge granted Tran a five-year restraining order against Brown after Tran testified that the singer became aggressive after she refused to return diamond jewelry he had gifted her.
May 2018: An unidentified woman sued Brown and two of his friends for sexual battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, amongst other charges. The victim alleged that she was forcibly held down against her will by Brown and his friend, Lowell Grissom Jr., along with an unidentified female cohort when she asked to leave a party. The trio also allegedly took the victim’s phone and would not return it.
January 2019: Brown was detained in Paris after a woman filed a report alleging that Brown had sexually assaulted her. "We confirm the detention in custody of Mr. Chris Brown and two other individuals on charges of aggravated rape and narcotics offenses. Police custody is still in progress," the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office told PEOPLE at the time.
January 27, 2022: A woman identified as “Jane Doe” filed a lawsuit against Brown alleging that the singer drugged and raped her on a yacht in Miami on Dec. 30, 2020. In the filings, per PEOPLE, the woman claimed she met up with Brown two subsequent times following the assault and that he became “irate” when she refused his sexual advances.
October 2024: In Chris Brown: A History of Violence, a woman identified only as Jane Doe comes forward with allegations that Brown sexually assaulted her in 2020 on a yacht belonging to Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is currently being held in federal prison without bail on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
In the documentary, Doe claimed that she received death threats following the assault. "Even coming forward as a Jane Doe, some people still found out who I was," she claimed. "Coming forward with this now, I just hope I can shed light on what really happened."
IF YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONES ARE IN NEED OF SUPPORT
There are organization around the globe whose mission it is to provide aid for women and children experiencing domestic violence. Below are a few resources that can help you in your time of need. Please know you have an Army of supporters cheering for you! If you are looking to financially support organizations that aid victims, all of the groups listed below accept donations on their websites.
- Korea Women's Hot-Line Working to guarantee and support women's human rights against all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and digital sexual violence.
- No More Global Directory A directory of domestic and sexual violence helplines and services.
- The Pixel Project A virtual non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness, funds and volunteer power for the cause to end violence against women.
SOURCES
- United Nations Office for Partnerships. (n.d.). BTS "Permission to Dance" performed at the United Nations Video. https://unpartnerships.un.org/videos/bts-permission-dance-performed-united-nations
- Unicef #ENDviolence Campaign https://www.unicef.org/end-violence/kind-notes
- UNICEF. (2021, September 20). "We have learned to love ourselves, so now I urge you to 'speak yourself.'" Press release. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/we-have-learned-love-ourselves-so-now-i-urge-you-speak-yourself
- Aniftos, R., & Saponara, M. (2025, May 21). Chris Brown's legal problems: A timeline of trouble. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/lists/chris-brown-legal-troubles-timeline/july-22-2024/
- Lightfoot, I. (s.f.). Famous Male Abusers. https://www.famousmaleabusers.com
4,904
The Issue
We, as a group from the ARMY fandom, are reaching out to BTS and HYBE Corporation, asking for public reflection on a recent event that has caused concern, frustration, and pain within our community. We hope that our voice and, above all, the voices of survivors of violence, will not be silenced.
BACKGROUND
On August 11, 2026, BTS members V and Jung Kook connected live with fans via Weverse. The livestream included the members listening to songs, including several by singer Chris Brown. The next day, two other members, RM and j-hope, flew from Baltimore, Maryland to Toronto, Canada to attend the R&B Tour, a concert co-headlined by Chris Brown and Usher Raymond. During the concert, j-hope shared multiple videos of the show to his professional Instagram account, tagging Chris Brown's official account in one of the posts. After the show, the members met with Brown and Raymond back stage to take photos. A short time later, Brown posted a photo posing with both members.
OUR CONCERNS
An artist cannot be separated from their own art, especially when they are still actively benefiting from the consumption of that art. Art is, in and of itself, a reflection of the artist. Publicly promoting someone with a documented history of abuse, regardless of intent, supports both the artist and their art by providing visibility, money, cultural relevance, and a platform. Support is not limited to verbally condoning a person; it is also expressed through our actions. Accountability does not exist in isolation, but also requires consequences. When an abuser keeps receiving public and professional support, it reinforces an environment where they face no real repercussions for their actions. It signals that support will always be there no matter how they behave, creating conditions that enable the abusive behavior to continue.
Chris Brown is a clear example. He has a well-documented history of violence against women, including a 2009 domestic violence conviction, multiple accusations of physical violence and sexual assault, and an ongoing case for violent conduct for which he is currently awaiting sentencing. Yet, Brown still holds enormous power and influence. Rather than his violent behavior costing him his influence, continued support has allowed him to maintain it. Regardless of BTS members' intentions, streaming Brown's music, attending his concert, and posting videos and photos with Brown were viewed by a significant part of the ARMY community, as well as by domestic violence survivors both inside and outside of the fandom, as a form of normalization or endorsement of abusers such as Brown.
By posting and tagging Brown on their professional social media accounts, RM and j-hope provided visibility for Brown to their 100 million+ followers, the majority of whom are women. A large number of Army immediately spoke out, sharing their disappointment that RM and j-hope chose to not only attend a concert by a known abuser, but also post and tag him for their millions of followers to see. A hashtag campaign began trending on social media platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram, as well as Hybe Corporation's own Weverse platform.
Fans have been waiting for the members to address these issues, but have been met with silence. The members continue to post to their social media accounts and livestream on Weverse, refusing to address the multitude of comments and requests to speak to the situation. Simultaneously, users voicing their opposition to the appearance of support for Brown have had their comments deleted and their profiles restricted on Weverse while words such as "morals" have also been banned, effectively silencing those asking for accountability.
As fans, we understand we cannot control every action by our idols, nor do we wish to. However, BTS is one of the largest groups in the world, and their actions have global impact. This current situation is counter to the image they've built and their rich history of speaking on social issues. We believe that silence in situations like this carries a cost: the cost borne by women who have experienced violence and who once again see incidents like this fade away without any public reflection. We cannot meaningfully condemn abuse while continuing to protect the platforms of those who perpetrate it. When we collectively give power and legitimacy to people who abuse it, we become complicit in preserving the conditions that fail to hold abusers accountable.
OUR REQUEST
A public statement of awareness acknowledging BTS's stance on the above mentioned situations so fans are not left wondering where the group's current standards lie. Should BTS choose to acknowledge the impact interactions like this can have in regards to maintaining the social power and platform of abusers in the industry, and the impact that has on survivors of violence, we ask they provide a clear reaffirmation of the values BTS and HYBE have historically promoted such as speaking out against violence.
OUR COMMITMENT
ARMY who have signed this petition are seeking to approach this situation with maturity and understanding. We are committing to having meaningful conversations within the fandom that amplify the voices of victims. We believe the fandom has the power to turn a moment of tension into a real opportunity for collective awareness. We commit to holding ourselves to the same standards we hold our idols, both providing and taking constructive feedback with grace and respect. We commit to respecting the requests of BTS members to communicate with them respectfully and challenge them to become better humans, just as we will ourselves. We will not accept nor tolerate any hate directed towards members.
-------------------
RESOURCES - TRIGGER WARNING FOR ACCOUNTS OF VIOLENCE
BTS against violence
On September 24, 2018 in New York City, BTS joined United Nations among other global businesses, educational organizations, and youth leaders to launch a partnership to provide quality education, training, or employment for every young person by 2030, tackling global challenges and encouraging empowerment. BTS were invited to speak in recognition of their partnership with Unicef on the #ENDviolence campaign. Group leader, RM, said:
"So, let’s all take one more step. We have learned to love ourselves, so now I urge you to “speak yourself. Tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin color, gender identity: speak yourself. Find your name, find your voice by speaking yourself."
They attended the United Nations again in September 2021, representing the South Korean Presidential Special Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, presenting their song "Permission to Dance” as a tribute to young people who embrace difficult realities and choose to take action for a brighter future.
Chris Brown's Legal Issues
February 8, 2009: At 19 years old, Brown punched, choked, and bit his then-girlfriend Rihanna, leaving her with visible facial injuries and in need of hospitalization. Brown turned himself into the police and later pled guilty to one count of felony assault. Similar accusations from a number of women have followed the artist in the ensuing 15 years.
June 14, 2012: Brown was allegedly involved in a brawl with fellow recording artist, Drake, and his entourage at a New York nightclub. Eight people were injured with broken bottles and punches.
January 27, 2013: Brown was allegedly involved in an altercation with recording artist, Frank Ocean, over a parking space outside a recording studio in West Hollywood, California. According to police reports, Brown pushed or punched the singer and homophobic slurs were directed at Ocean. Ocean did not press charges.
October 27, 2013: Brown was arrested for felony assault after allegedly punching a man outside the W Hotel in Washington D.C. Brown and his bodyguard allegedly punched the man and broke his nose after he had tried to get insert himself into a photo with Brown and two women.
November 2013: Brown voluntarily entered a rehabilitation program after his D.C. arrest but was kicked out two weeks later after he allegedly violently lashed out during a family therapy session, smashing the window of his mother’s car with a rock according to a probation report.Shortly after, he was ordered by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge to spend 90 days in a live-in rehab facility for anger management.
January 2016: Police in Las Vegas launched an investigation into the singer after a woman alleged that Brown had stolen her phone and hit her after she had tried to take a picture.
Brown is ordered to stay away from ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran. Tran and Brown had a relationship over the course of several years which ended in 2014. In 2017, a judge granted Tran a five-year restraining order against Brown after Tran testified that the singer became aggressive after she refused to return diamond jewelry he had gifted her.
May 2018: An unidentified woman sued Brown and two of his friends for sexual battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, amongst other charges. The victim alleged that she was forcibly held down against her will by Brown and his friend, Lowell Grissom Jr., along with an unidentified female cohort when she asked to leave a party. The trio also allegedly took the victim’s phone and would not return it.
January 2019: Brown was detained in Paris after a woman filed a report alleging that Brown had sexually assaulted her. "We confirm the detention in custody of Mr. Chris Brown and two other individuals on charges of aggravated rape and narcotics offenses. Police custody is still in progress," the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office told PEOPLE at the time.
January 27, 2022: A woman identified as “Jane Doe” filed a lawsuit against Brown alleging that the singer drugged and raped her on a yacht in Miami on Dec. 30, 2020. In the filings, per PEOPLE, the woman claimed she met up with Brown two subsequent times following the assault and that he became “irate” when she refused his sexual advances.
October 2024: In Chris Brown: A History of Violence, a woman identified only as Jane Doe comes forward with allegations that Brown sexually assaulted her in 2020 on a yacht belonging to Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is currently being held in federal prison without bail on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
In the documentary, Doe claimed that she received death threats following the assault. "Even coming forward as a Jane Doe, some people still found out who I was," she claimed. "Coming forward with this now, I just hope I can shed light on what really happened."
IF YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONES ARE IN NEED OF SUPPORT
There are organization around the globe whose mission it is to provide aid for women and children experiencing domestic violence. Below are a few resources that can help you in your time of need. Please know you have an Army of supporters cheering for you! If you are looking to financially support organizations that aid victims, all of the groups listed below accept donations on their websites.
- Korea Women's Hot-Line Working to guarantee and support women's human rights against all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, and digital sexual violence.
- No More Global Directory A directory of domestic and sexual violence helplines and services.
- The Pixel Project A virtual non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness, funds and volunteer power for the cause to end violence against women.
SOURCES
- United Nations Office for Partnerships. (n.d.). BTS "Permission to Dance" performed at the United Nations Video. https://unpartnerships.un.org/videos/bts-permission-dance-performed-united-nations
- Unicef #ENDviolence Campaign https://www.unicef.org/end-violence/kind-notes
- UNICEF. (2021, September 20). "We have learned to love ourselves, so now I urge you to 'speak yourself.'" Press release. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/we-have-learned-love-ourselves-so-now-i-urge-you-speak-yourself
- Aniftos, R., & Saponara, M. (2025, May 21). Chris Brown's legal problems: A timeline of trouble. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/lists/chris-brown-legal-troubles-timeline/july-22-2024/
- Lightfoot, I. (s.f.). Famous Male Abusers. https://www.famousmaleabusers.com
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Petition created on August 24, 2026