BTS fans mock iHeartRadio’s day 2 turnout after short set controversy
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "BTS fans mock iHeartRadio’s day 2 turnout after short set controversy")
iHeartRadio day 2 empty seats post facing backlash over treatment towards BTS Photograph: (X)
After facing backlash over poor treatment towards BTS, some attendees and online communities of the K-pop group have noted visible empty seats and fan discussions regarding attendance. BTS had performed on September 19.
The backlash surrounding South Korean boy band BTS’ appearance at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival has continued even as the event moved into its second day. After the group's ending of abrupt performance, iHeartRadio attendees and several communities pointed out visibly empty seats.
BTS' fans mock empty seats on day 2 of iHeartRadio
As the festival continued, iHeartRadio kept sharing content from the two-day event, including updates and posts featuring performers and festival moments. Some BTS fans responded to those posts by bringing the previous night's issues back into the conversation.
Comments included calls for greater respect for all seven members and criticism of the group's limited stage time. One user wrote, "This was the iHeartRadio festival day 2, 20 min before it started. Crazy."
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Another user wrote, "iHeartRadio Festival D-2 looks dry. Someone said BTS left with their Army. Another said Day 2 could have been on zoom meeting Lmao."
"BTS pulled the crowd on day 1, then day 2 suddenly looked empty. iHeartRadio really knew exactly who was bringing the people in and who they could use for views."
Another social media user wrote, "So you're telling me second day of iHeart festival is nearly empty because bts performed in day one and most of the audience were armys??"
Also Read: BTS RM birthday: Namjoon's unforgettable moments with Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook
What went wrong on BTS' performance on iHeartRadio event?
During BTS’s headlining set at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the broadcast faced heavy criticism because of audio glitches. The criticism has gone beyond the four-song set. Some fans have accused iHeartRadio of benefiting from BTS’ enormous global following while giving the group less stage time than they expected from a headline appearance.
The group performed “SWIM” and “2.0” from their latest album, ARIRANG, before moving into “MIC Drop” and ending with “FYA.” iHeartRadio highlighted the performance's choreography, visuals and pyrotechnics in its official recap. The discussion continues across iHeartRadio's social media pages, with fans asking the festival to address their concerns about stage time, production and the presentation of BTS during the event.
