Fans of BTS are demanding an apology from GEFFEN Records after a controversial interaction on X (formerly known as Twitter) involving one of the company’s senior executives, Ray Kurzeka. The VP is accused of ridiculing the ARMYs’ demands with a rather unexpected reply.
Earlier this week BTS’s Jimin announced the release of his second album, MUSE, set to drop in July.
Anticipation is high, and ARMYs are gearing up to support the album through streaming and purchases to ensure its success. As part of their preparations, fans have made several requests to the record label responsible for distributing and promoting Jimin’s album.
Geffen Records didn’t even post any of Jimin’s content from MUSE on Instagram.
Please do better @GeffenRecords @UMG @BIGHIT_MUSIC pic.twitter.com/T2lShHiUnX
— MELROSE (@Melkenstock) June 23, 2024
One fan, in particular, took to Twitter to directly address GEFFEN Records and Kurzeka. The tweet requested iTunes pre-order links for Jimin’s new single, “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band,” and urged the company to release a European version to boost the single’s performance on the UK charts.
In response, Kurzeka sent a reply that no one expected. Instead of addressing the fans’ concerns, he replied with a Spotify link to “Us,” a song by Gracie Abrams featuring Taylor Swift, and even added the caption, “song of the year.” Kurzeka’s reply was deemed dismissive and unprofessional by the devoted fanbase, triggering a wave of massive backlash against the VP and the company as a whole.
Apparently a higher official in geffen records is openly fucking with us… an official from a label that’s supposed to represent BTS’ interest and take care of their releases… This is so disrespectful and unprofessional it’s blowing my mind pic.twitter.com/OeZaKoFkKF
— gomooshin⁷ (@taesoothe) June 22, 2024
ARMYs were quick to express their disapproval, accusing Kurzeka of mocking their legitimate concerns and questioning his professionalism. The incident escalated rapidly, prompting Kurzeka to deactivate his Twitter account as well as his LinkedIn profile.
In tears at him deactivating even his LinkedIn? literally deactivated all his socials. Bruh 😭😭😭
We still need that apology and presave and pre-order link
GEFFEN APOLOGIZE TO JIMIN
BIGHIT TREAT JIMIN FAIRLY pic.twitter.com/jxbiQe0dio
— Star ✨ MUSE by Jimin (@minieskies) June 23, 2024
The fanbase is now demanding that GEFFEN Records issue a formal apology and take action against Kurzeka. They argue that his response not only disregarded their requests but also showed a lack of respect for the fans and the artists they support.
.@GeffenRecords and @bts_bighit please look into this extremely unprofessional behavior of @raykurzeka . By now I wouldn't be surprised if he fcked with Jimin's week 2. Probably all the other BTS releases. pic.twitter.com/kOvmMv7VFN
— Katchimolala (@permylastemail7) June 23, 2024
.@GeffenRecords how are you holding Ray Kurzeka accountable? Will he receive disciplinary action seeing he is clearly unfit to hold a position at a SVP level? We know he is in hiding from social media but are you going to enable his poor behavior mocking a consumer?@bts_bighit
— Katchimolala (@permylastemail7) June 23, 2024
We must mass email BigHit about @GeffenRecords openly sabotaging a contracted BTS member. It's most certainly violating their contract with BTS, a contract on which geffen makes millions. BTS' reps in bighit need to know and call in contract execution review.
We should probably… https://t.co/6GG4iBkdn8
— gomooshin⁷ (@taesoothe) June 23, 2024
It is incredulous that this was the response of @GeffenRecords SVP for Streaming under pleas for iTunes preorders.
This behavior is disrespectful and a disservice to the artist the label SHOULD represent.
We've experienced hurdles in availability during FACE and now for MUSE.… pic.twitter.com/0oN8DcwD26
— Jimin Global | MUSE (@JiminGlobal) June 23, 2024
How GEFFEN Records will respond to these demands remains to be seen.
