Imagine this: BTS is in Ireland, not on vacation, but recording vocals for a never-before-heard Michael Jackson song. Yes, you read that correctly.
According to studio owner Paddy Dunning of Grouse Lodge, where MJ spent five months in 2006 working on what was expected to be his next big album, BTS walked into the same studio last year and laid down vocals for one of those long-lost tracks. These sessions were originally intended to crown Jackson’s comeback, but were left unfinished when he left Ireland and later passed away in 2009. Now, the estate has green-lit a tribute album—with BTS among the global artists involved.
Let’s break it down in glorious detail:
- The tribute album will include around ten unreleased songs penned for Jackson by his Ireland-based collaborators—think Rodney Jerkins and rapper Nephew. BTS is rumored to have contributed vocals to one of them.
- As part of the project, a documentary will chronicle MJ’s creative time in Ireland—those peaceful cow-shed studio days with his kids and producers rebuilding musical magic.
Naturally, social media erupted. ARMY fans are buzzing with excitement: this would be the ultimate crossover moment—K-pop royalty paying tribute to the King of Pop. One fan called it “the most iconic crossover since moonwalk met mic drop.” Others pointed out that BTS have always honored Jackson—from choreography nods in Dynamite to vocal admiration.
But not everyone is thrilled. Some die-hard MJ enthusiasts on Reddit and X are furious, calling the collaboration disrespectful. Complaints range from “these should remain unreleased” to outright disinterest in mixing their idol’s work with another artist—even BTS. A few ADM were blunt: they’d rather hear Jackson’s original vocals-only version than risk K-pop authenticity invading MJ’s legacy.
That said, a number of fans defended BTS—arguing that Jungkook, RM, and company have genuine respect for Michael Jackson. Many also note BTS’s work ethic and global reach outweigh superficial pop hype. One supporter remarked that Jackson would have been proud of their commitment to artistry.
Here’s the recap:
- BTS drops into a sacred, long-forgotten Jackson studio, casually records a tribute—no big deal.
- MJ estate signs off, documentary included: we get nostalgia plus BTS content. Business move? Maybe. Tribute? Definitely.
- MJ fans say “Keep your hands off my King,” while ARMY floods timelines with glitter, fedora memes, and hopes for a mash-up.
- All while BTS is already neck-deep in album prep in L.A., working on their comeback for spring 2026. They multitask harder than any pop star alive.
Through the noise, this move makes perfect sense: BTS has long cited Michael Jackson as an influence, yet they’ve also carved their own path. Covering unreleased Jackson? It builds a symbolic bridge from pop past to K-pop present—and injects meaning into both legacies.
If this tribute album—and that documentary—actually drops, it could be a historic moment in music for cross-generational, cross-cultural collaboration. But it also raises questions: when honoring huge legends, where’s the line between respecter and replacer?
For ARMY, there’s no question: this is exciting. For skeptical MJ purists? The distaste runs deep. Either way, BTS stepped into the legacy circle—and lit it up. Expect chills, controversy, and maybe the biggest pop tribute album of the decade.
