Global K-pop sensation BTS has strongly refuted reports claiming they were involved in a Michael Jackson tribute album being recorded in Ireland. The controversy was triggered by an article published in The Irish Sun on Sunday, which alleged that the group had visited Grouse Lodge Studios in County Westmeath to work on unreleased tracks originally composed for the late King of Pop.
According to the report, these tracks were part of a 2006 collaboration between Michael Jackson and Will.i.am, which never saw the light of day. Studio head Paddy Dunning was quoted as saying BTS had “already been to Grouse Lodge” and recorded one such track.
BTS Shuts Down Claims
However, BTS’ label issued a swift and categorical denial. In an official statement released via social media on Tuesday, the group clarified:
“We would like to address recent media reports concerning BTS’ alleged participation in a Michael Jackson tribute album. BTS has neither visited Grouse Lodge Studio in Ireland nor taken part in any recording sessions at the location for the mentioned project. The group is not involved in the tribute album in any capacity.”
In a curious twist, Dunning’s quote, the very source of the claim, has since been removed from the online version of the article, casting further doubt on the accuracy of the report.
[공지] ‘방탄소년단의 마이클 잭슨 헌정 앨범 참여’ 관련 안내 (+ENG) pic.twitter.com/3jdsWtd41t
— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) August 5, 2025
Ongoing Hiatus, But Misinformation Persists
Due to required military enrollment in South Korea, BTS is presently on a short group sabbatical. In spite of this, the organization continues to be a significant cultural force in the world and is often the focus of gossip or misinformation.
The band’s management stressed their continuous efforts to counter false information in their statement:
“We are continuing to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of inaccurate information.”
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ARMY Responds With Support
The BTS fan community (ARMY) quickly united in support of the group. Posts calling for more ethical journalism were all over social media. Many fans expressed concern about how quickly misinformation spreads when it involves high-profile artists.
Some also pointed out that this is not the first time BTS has been dragged into rumors tied to Western music industry projects, often without any basis.
