Relationships in Hollywood are usually pretty fake. You see two stars hugging on a red carpet, and half the time, they don't even have each other's phone numbers. But for a long time, the bond between BTS and James Corden felt like the exception to the rule. It was chaotic, loud, and genuinely affectionate—until it suddenly wasn't.
If you were on the internet in late 2021, you know exactly what I’m talking about. One minute, Corden is the "Papa Mochi" to Jimin's "Baby Mochi," and the next, he’s basically public enemy number one for millions of fans. It was a wild 180-degree turn that caught a lot of people off guard.
But how did we get there? And more importantly, where do they actually stand now that the dust has settled?
The Rise of Papa Mochi
The whole "Papa Mochi" era didn't just happen overnight. It started back in 2017 when BTS made their first appearance on The Late Late Show. At that point, the group was still gaining their footing in the US market. Corden, to his credit, seemed to "get" them earlier than most late-night hosts. He didn't treat them like a passing fad or a weird spectacle. He treated them like superstars.
The peak of this was definitely the Carpool Karaoke segment in early 2020. Honestly, it's still one of the best things on the internet. You’ve got seven guys crammed into a van, singing Bruno Mars at the top of their lungs, and James trying (and failing) to keep up with their energy.
During that ride, Jimin jokingly called James "Papa Mochi" after James mentioned Jimin’s fan-given nickname, Mochi. James shot back with "Baby Mochi," and a brand was born. The show’s official Twitter account even changed its bio to "Papa Mochi’s Home." It felt like a real friendship. Fans—the ARMY—loved him because he seemed to protect the boys.
Then, the UN General Assembly happened.
The Joke That Broke the Internet
In September 2021, BTS headed to New York. They weren't there for a concert; they were there as Special Presidential Envoys for Future Generations and Culture. They gave a speech at the United Nations General Assembly and performed "Permission to Dance" inside the UN building. It was a massive, historic moment for South Korea and the group.
James Corden decided to talk about it in his monologue. He called the group "unusual visitors" and joked that "15-year-old girls everywhere found themselves wishing they were Secretary-General António Guterres."
The backlash was instant. And it was loud.
ARMY wasn't just mad because of the "15-year-old girl" stereotype—which, let's be real, is a tired and sexist way to dismiss a massive, diverse global fandom. They were mad because it felt like a betrayal. They felt Corden was using the group for "clout" and views when it suited him, then mocking their legitimacy the second they stepped into a serious political arena.
Basically, the "Papa Mochi" title was revoked on the spot. People were deleting their old appreciative tweets and calling for a boycott. It got so bad that James reportedly received death threats, which he later addressed on air.
The Awkward Reunion
When BTS finally returned to the Late Late Show couch in November 2021, you could practically feel the tension through the screen. Most hosts would have ignored the drama. Corden didn't.
RM—ever the diplomat and leader—didn't let him off the hook either. He looked James dead in the eye and asked, "James, how about you? You’ve been in some hot water with ARMY. Are you alright?"
You could see Corden sweating. He spent several minutes explaining himself, saying he thought the jokes were "harmless" but admitting he was wrong to generalize the fans. He even called himself a 43-year-old fan to prove the point.
Jimin eventually broke the ice by saying, "Papa Mochi, I believe you." It was a classic "okay, we’re good now" move, but the vibe had definitely shifted. It felt less like a family reunion and more like a professional reconciliation.
The Crosswalk Concert: A Final Hurrah?
Shortly after that "clearing the air" interview, they filmed the BTS Crosswalk Concert. If you haven't seen it, the premise is simple: James makes artists perform in the middle of a Los Angeles intersection while the light is red.
It was hilarious, but also sort of symbolic. You had the biggest band in the world performing "Butter" and "Dynamite" while confused drivers honked at them. RM joked to the camera, "James, this is not a venue, this is a crosswalk."
Even though the performance was a hit, some fans still felt a bit "meh" about the whole thing. The trust had been dented.
Where Things Stand Today
Honestly, the relationship between BTS and James Corden is a case study in how fragile celebrity-fan dynamics can be. Corden eventually left The Late Late Show in 2023, and BTS began their mandatory military service shortly after.
So, what did we learn?
- Fandom diversity matters: The idea that K-pop fans are just screaming teens is factually wrong and insulting. Many are professionals, parents, and, yes, 43-year-old talk show hosts.
- Authenticity is king: In the age of social media, fans can smell a "fake" supporter from a mile away. If you claim to love an artist, you have to respect their work, not just their "viral potential."
- The "Mochi" bond is complicated: While Jimin and the guys seem to have genuinely liked James, the relationship was always part of a massive PR machine.
If you want to support the group today, the best move is to focus on their actual work rather than the late-night drama. Check out their solo projects from the "Chapter 2" era—like RM’s Indigo or Jimin’s FACE—which offer way more depth than a three-minute talk show segment ever could.
The next time you see a celebrity interaction that looks too good to be true, remember the Papa Mochi saga. It’s a reminder that even in the world of global superstardom, words have consequences, and respect is earned, not given.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the 2021 "clearing the air" interview to see RM's leadership in action.
- Explore the group's UN speeches (2018, 2020, and 2021) to understand why the "unusual visitors" comment hit such a nerve.
- Keep an eye out for the group's full reunion, expected around late 2025 or 2026, to see which Western hosts they choose to return to.
