On November 20, 2022, South Korean singer Jungkook did what some other prominent musicians had firmly ruled out: the member of the K-Pop Superstars BTS performed at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Together with the Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi he sang the World Cup song “Dreamers” – and was celebrated on the Internet, but also criticized.
“Jungkook has just performed in Qatar, where human rights are being violated, we shouldn’t celebrate it,” writes a Twitter user – and thus addresses the main point of criticism: Qatar is repeatedly accused of gross violations of human rights.
Jungkook just performed in qatar where human rights are violated we should not celebrate this
— Cath/Mig ✨ (@ctjk9997) November 20, 2022
“Isn’t that against the philosophy of BTS?”
Another person sees a certain pattern with BTS. “Why does BTS perform in countries with serious human rights violations? BTS has performed in Saudi Arabia, although many artists have refused to perform there after Khashoggi’s death. Due to human rights abuses in Qatar, many artists refused to perform at FIFA 2022; & then Jungkook from BTS performed,” the person wrote.
Why does BTS perform in nations with major human rights violations?
BTS performed despite many artists declined to do so in KSA following death of Khashoggi.
Due to Qatar’s breaches of human rights, many artists refused to perform at FIFA 2022; & then Jungkook of BTS performed.— خراب عورت (@KharabAurat) November 20, 2022
“Why is Jungkook performing at the World Cup in Qatar? It is now widely known that there have been many human rights violations against foreign workers who build the stadiums. Doesn’t that go against BTS’s philosophy of supporting human rights?” asks one user.
why is jungkook performing at the world cup in qatar? it’s been pretty well established by now that there have been many human rights violations against foreign workers building up the stadiums. doesn’t this very much go against bts’ philosophy of supporting human rights?
— molls (@houjichafanclub) November 20, 2022
Also a lot of praise for performance
However, there has long been more than just criticism – Jungkook is celebrated by many for his performance. “We love you, Jungkook,” says the numerous declarations of love on Twitter – and numerous postings sound: “Youngcook slayed”
WE LOVE YOU JUNGKOOK
— ♡ (@luvkoo1ll) November 20, 2022
JUNGKOOK SLAYED pic.twitter.com/fdPY8lrjZz
— ? (@goodl_uck) November 20, 2022
Jeon Jung Kook slayed it ??????每個part+表情都好殺❤️???? pic.twitter.com/QDRdnOTbju
— jeancj❼ (@lugayo17) November 20, 2022
JUNGKOOK SLAYED ONCE AGAIN ‼️
— Fabi Torres (@twiiterforjk) November 20, 2022
Look who we are, we are the dreamers
We make it happen, cause we believe itJungkook effortlessly slayed that performance ❤️?❤️? pic.twitter.com/B5Tx00OrCj
— naz⁷ ?? 따릉이폭주족 (@nemjoonx) November 20, 2022
Rod Stewart reports on offer
Rod Stewart, on the other hand, had no desire to perform in Qatar. In a recent interview, he reported an offer: “Actually, 15 months ago I was offered a lot of money to play there. Over a million dollars (around 972,000 euros). But I declined. It just wouldn’t be right to be there.”