In an unexpected twist during one of the most talked-about legal proceedings in the music industry, global K-pop sensation BTS was mentioned in the courtroom during jury selection for the ongoing trial of hip-hop mogul P. Diddy (Sean Combs).
Currently facing serious charges—including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution—P. Diddy’s trial has captured intense public attention and is shaping up to be one of the most significant cases in recent music history.
Courtroom access has been limited to a handful of reporters, one of whom is true crime content creator Stephanie Soo, host of the popular podcast Rotten Mango.
With millions of followers across platforms, Soo was able to attend several sessions of the trial and shared her firsthand experience in a nearly two-hour video posted on May 11.
In her account, she detailed various aspects of the jury selection process and revealed an unexpected cultural crossover moment: BTS was mentioned by one of the potential jurors.
According to Soo, the juror casually included BTS—referred to as “Bangan Boys,” a nod to their original Korean name Bangtan Sonyeondan—when asked about her musical interests.
The moment wasn’t directly connected to the charges in the trial, nor was BTS referenced by P. Diddy or his legal team.
Instead, the juror’s mention of the group came up as part of standard voir dire questioning, which helps determine if potential jurors may have biases that could affect their judgment.
Given the entertainment-focused nature of the case, it’s likely the court asked about musical preferences to screen for impartiality regarding P. Diddy’s celebrity status.
While BTS’s name drop may have seemed random at first, it illustrates the far-reaching cultural footprint of the group, whose influence extends far beyond K-pop and into spaces as unexpected as a courtroom during a major U.S. criminal trial.
Fans found the mention humorous and surreal, especially since it occurred in the context of such a serious and unrelated legal matter.
Though the group played no role in the case itself, their presence was still felt—another testament to BTS’s global impact.
