Boy Group’s Controversial Merch Sparks Confusion Among Fans
BTS is facing controversy over their newest official merch drop.
The issue? An item fans thought was a buttplug.
On March 10, KST, HYBE released a preview of BTS’s official merch for their comeback ARIRANG. The collection includes hats, keychains, clothing, candles, traditional fans, pouches, chopsticks, and even a Korean meal table (babsang).
But one item caught fans off guard. Social media blew up as fans joked and asked if BTS was seriously selling a buttplug.
“they said army mature lets give them a coke tray and butt plug”
— juno⁷ (@cypherjuno)
“Is this FYA? For your ass?”
— KIKI⁷ (@seokjinah070)
“chopsticks? buttplug? a lil travel case too? cool now drop the concept photos”
— tamara⁷ (@bright3rrdays)
“woke up to bts releasing buttplugs, who ELSE is trying them out “
— tee (@kverries)
Fans soon realized the controversial item is actually a wine stopper, not a buttplug — but the jokes kept coming.
“i know what yall are thinking but as a former hospital employee, do not”
— mimi’s hooligan⁷ (@lachimolalaaaaa)
“Hey army just in case and for safety reasons, no, don’t even attempt it, please no.”
— chrys⁷⁼¹⊙⊝⊜ (@goldenlitlsmile)
“Namjoons exact reaction when he sees us calling the merch butt plugs”
— ⊙⊝⊜ Noodle ⊙⊝⊜ (@BangtansN00dle)
The merch drop also drew some backlash with fans disappointed in the rollout.
Look at BTS’s ARIRANG merch below:
BTS | GQ Magazine
HYBE’s official tweet previewing the merch:
BTS 정규 5집 ‘ARIRANG’ Official Merch.
Merch. Preview (2/5)#BTS #방탄소년단 #BTS_ARIRANG pic.twitter.com/Q9KBeWoOpk— HYBE MERCH (@HYBE_MERCH) March 10, 2026
Fan reactions to the “buttplug” merch:
they said army mature lets give them a coke tray and butt plug https://t.co/AQ032a51Pa
— juno⁷ (@cypherjuno) March 10, 2026
Is this FYA? For your ass? pic.twitter.com/tDFb2UTfSG
— KIKI⁷ (@seokjinah070) March 10, 2026
chopsticks? buttplug? a lil travel case too? cool now drop the concept photos pic.twitter.com/Z6Kt3ews0g
— tamara⁷ (@bright3rrdays) March 10, 2026
woke up to bts releasing buttplugs, who ELSE is trying them out pic.twitter.com/wSPSn3P0y9
— tee (@kverries) March 10, 2026
Fans cautioning others:
> “i know what yall are thinking but as a former hospital employee, do not”
> — mimi’s hooligan⁷ (@lachimolalaaaaa)
> “Hey army just in case and for safety reasons, no, don’t even attempt it, please no.”
> — chrys⁷⁼¹⊙⊝⊜ (@goldenlitlsmile)
> “Namjoons exact reaction when he sees us calling the merch butt plugs”
> — ⊙⊝⊜ Noodle ⊙⊝⊜ (@BangtansN00dle)
This odd merch moment has fans split between laughing and disappointment over the merch drop’s execution.
We’ll keep monitoring the situation as BTS’s ARIRANG comeback approaches.