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BTS Jungkook's backup dancer Jake Kodish, who has been collaborating with the Standing Next To You singer, has recently found himself in an untenable predicament with ARMYs. The dancer's several Instagram stories endorsing Israel in the wake of the aggravating humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip in early October 2023, marked the beginning of the clash between him and the ARMYs.
An enormous global outcry against the carnage resulted in millions of people demanding a ceasefire in order to protect innocent lives. Given the sensitive circumstances of the matter, ARMYs took offense to Kodish's Instagram posts and criticized him for spreading hate speech on the network. The dancer responded to the fans' critiques, but not in the most responsible manner.
Evidently, after receiving heavy backlash from the BTS ARMY, Jake Kodish has reportedly deactivated his X account, to which, one of the fans stated, "JAKE KODISH DEACTIVATED? WHAT A WAY TO START MY DAY IM UP."
Jake Kodish is a backup dancer under contract with the sensational dance group Jam Republic. He has performed in the majority of Jungkook's most recent solo releases, including Seven, 3D, and Standing Next To You. He is a member of the group that has been accompanying Jungkook on stage throughout all of his recent performances.
In addition, the group includes well-known dancers David Pornel, Nick Joseph, Vinh Nguyen, Ian Eastwood, and Brian Puspos.
The BTS ARMY demanded HYBE and Jam Republic to cancel the contract with Jungkook's backup dancer for his insensitive actions
In response to criticism, Jake stated in other comments that he had reconsidered his position on the matter but had chosen not to discuss it in public. In the meanwhile, ARMYs also uncovered a few repugnant historical events concerning Kodish.
Following their 2019 tour together, Jack made derogatory remarks about Taylor Swift, which put him in serious water with her fan base. Jungkook's backup dancer, Jake Kodish seems to have made several s*xually suggestive remarks as "clapbacks" when he was conversing with some of them on social media. He was quoted saying that he would not want to work with Taylor Swift ever again and has no care for her and her life.
He said,
"Yes I worked for Taylor but that does not mean I care about her or her life. I won't be working with her on this tour. I simply don't want to."
As of July 2019, he had eventually recanted his initial remarks on Taylor. In light of all of this, ARMYs began pressuring HYBE to take legal action against Kodish and make sure he is never allowed to collaborate with their artists again.
After receiving a barrage of criticism, Kodish took to social media to reiterate his position that he is against "senseless killing." Many, however, interpreted it as his caving into criticism once more and condemned him even more for his insincere "statement." However, HYBE has not responded in a formal manner to ARMY's ongoing demands that he be removed from any upcoming ventures.
Since a week after Jungkook's solo album debut of GOLDEN, on November 3, 2023, the rife between Kodish and the BTS ARMY has deteriorated even further. ARMYs weren't pleased to see Kodish as part of the backup dancing crew during Jungkook's TSX Stage performance in Times Square on November 9, 2023 (PT).
Evidently, the AMRYs stormed on X and took to town with Jake Kodish as they bombarded the internet and the dancer with screenshots of his insensitive demeanor regarding the Palestine crisis and others dating as far back as 2019.
Here are some of the reactions from fans:
Meanwhile, amidst all this, the music producer Scooter Braun got embroiled in the controversy. As reported by the several ARMY tweets, Scooter Braun has a similar stance as Jake Kodish regarding the Palestine crisis, fueling the wrath of Jungkook's fans even further.
The BTS ARMY is equally displeased with the music producer Scooter Braun who produced
American business mogul, music executive, and entrepreneur Scott Samuel "Scooter" Braun is known for having been developing and managing the careers of Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, J Balvin, Ozuna, The Kid Laroi, and other musicians.
However, HYBE declared in April 2021 that it would obtain Ithaca Holdings—owned by Scooter Braun and Carlyle—worth an estimated $1.05 billion through its subsidiary HYBE America. As part of the agreement, Braun joined HYBE's board of directors and took on the role of CEO of HYBE America.
He is also one of the producers and writers alongside Grammy-winning producers and songwriters Andrew Watt and Cirkut, behind Jungkook's latest singles SEVEN and 3D. Nevertheless, the BTS ARMY tied him with the Jake Kodish situation driving speculations that it was due to him, that Kodish found the courage to voice such derogatory and insensitive remarks.
In the meantime, Jungkook is promoting his latest released solo album GOLDEN by appearing for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 7 PT, The Zane Lowe Interview that was aired on November 10 PT, alongwith a partnership with Xbox which was announced on November 6 PT, and many more.
Fans are looking forward to what the singer from BTS has more in store for them.
