BTS’s “Careless” Merch Faces Backlash Over Potential Legal Issues for Fans
BTS is facing backlash over a new piece of merchandise from their fifth studio album, Arirang. The controversy centers on a green lightstick bag that has sparked major concern among fans.
The bag boldly displays the phrase “This is not a bomb.” While some see it as a quirky design, many fans warn it could cause serious problems in real life. Airports and security checkpoints are extremely strict about anything related to explosives. Carrying a bag with that message could lead to delays, questioning, or worse, depending on the country.
Fans quickly reacted on Twitter, sharing their worries and frustrations:
ARMYs every tour season going through TSA: It’s a Light stick. It’s a light stick. It’s a light stick.
BTS: here’s your new army bomb carrying case!!!
— DAMN IT LAUREN ⁷ (@Starlit_Lauren)
Like genuinely this is so funny but whooooo in the merch team did not do their research cause 98% of the fandom CANNOT carry this shit around irl
— Marley⁷ ⊙⊝⊜ saw yoon2seok ¨̮ (@marleyyyandmimi)
Carrying a bag that says “it’s not a bomb” in the good ol U S OF A would be crazy
You could not carry this in the airport.
— DAMN IT LAUREN ⁷ (@Starlit_Lauren)
The concerns don’t stop at airports. Fans point out that concert venues and other public places with strict security would also likely ban the bag, making it essentially unusable.
literally anyone carrying this anywhere is a bad idea, i’m trying to think of ONEEEE scenario where it works
— elle ⊙⊝⊜ | hobi hand holder⁷ (@okaymoonchild)
WAIT THIS IS REAL???? i thought it was a joke armys made.
this isnt funny lol its so dumb
— jams (@freerantings)
Many ARMYs call the design careless and insensitive, stressing that the bag is neither practical nor safe.
genuinely what’s wrong with people who designed this
i don’t see anything funny about it
downplaying the problems and once again forcing the fandom to buy things they won’t be able to wear anywhere anyway
and if it will be sold out, then yall are problem too.
— invisible unicorn¹³ ☽̶☾ – seeing louis tomlinson (@pajafixon)
i still don’t understand who told them this was a good idea
— cinn⁷ (@sewokminyg)
The controversy began as soon as the Arirang merch dropped, and the “It’s Not A Bomb” bag quickly became the center of heated discussions online.
What do you think about BTS’s “It’s Not A Bomb” bag? Is it a careless design or just a playful joke? Share your thoughts in the comments on our social media post!