BTS Criticized as “Unrecognizable” in Their First Group Selfie in Months

BTS is facing controversy after dropping their first group selfie in months.

The photo came after their new GQ Magazine shoot and interview. But fans were quick to react — and not all reactions were good.

Many claimed the members looked “unrecognisable.” They questioned if heavy filters or AI editing had changed their faces too much.

literally who is this
— tay⁷ (@chimmyschurro) February 15, 2026

that is not them
— not jimin (@ikissjungkook) February 15, 2026

Some even accused BigHit Music of purposely distorting the image with excessive edits.

I first saw the pic on twt and i thought it was AI bc yeah who is that ??
— Lexie⁷ ㉧㉣㉣ is seeing BTS ! (@PolarisNightts) February 15, 2026

Ai editing lmao , whoever did that better not log in that ig acc again
— SERRA•⊙⊝⊜⁷ (@Serra937) February 15, 2026

they edited them so much like yoongi not even looking like yoongi
— gen⁷ (@gen123d) February 15, 2026

Soon after, fans found out the selfie was mirrored. Flipping it back made the members look more like themselves.

Yall flip the pic ahaha it looks strange because its a mirror pic.twitter.com/xwgNxm4k4Q
— gur3tan⁷ (@gularity_sin) February 15, 2026

It’s because it’s flipped yall look (yoongi NOT beating the cat allegations) pic.twitter.com/qdc3LM8qhC
— The city of flowers ⁷ ⦿ ☰ ☲ (@TheCityOfFlower) February 15, 2026

As ARIRANG gets closer to release, even one selfie from BTS is causing big buzz.

literally who is this https://t.co/eXA1c9otHs

— tay⁷ (@chimmyschurro) February 15, 2026

that is not them https://t.co/TeHN5eNbXK

— not jimin (@ikissjungkook) February 15, 2026

I first saw the pic on twt and i thought it was AI bc yeah who is that ??

— Lexie⁷ ㉧㉣㉣ is seeing BTS ! (@PolarisNightts) February 15, 2026

Ai editing lmao , whoever did that better not log in that ig acc again

— SERRA•⊙⊝⊜⁷ (@Serra937) February 15, 2026

they edited them so much like yoongi not even looking like yoongi

— gen⁷ (@gen123d) February 15, 2026

Yall flip the pic ahaha it looks strange because its a mirror pic.twitter.com/xwgNxm4k4Q

— gur3tan⁷ (@gularity_sin) February 15, 2026

It’s because it’s flipped yall look (yoongi NOT beating the cat allegations) pic.twitter.com/qdc3LM8qhC

— The city of flowers ⁷ ⦿ ☰ ☲ (@TheCityOfFlower) February 15, 2026