BTS’ Jimin has become the talk of both the K-pop and football worlds after a playful tribute to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland went viral during the group’s Arirang World Tour.
The lighthearted moment took place during BTS’ concert at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, where Jimin surprised fans by recreating Haaland’s instantly recognizable walk on stage, earning huge cheers from the audience.
The joke actually began earlier that day during the concert’s soundcheck.
While interacting with fans, Jimin noticed a handmade sign featuring three blond icons placed side by side: Marvel’s Thor, Erling Haaland, and Jimin himself. The banner humorously labeled them in Korean as “God of Thunder,” “God of Football,” and “Our God.”
Amused by the comparison, Jimin pointed at each picture one by one, read the captions aloud, and burst into laughter.
Rather than letting the moment end there, he brought the joke back during the main concert.
In front of thousands of fans, Jimin recreated Haaland’s distinctive swaggering walk, instantly recognizing the reference from the sign. The audience erupted in cheers as the playful imitation unfolded, turning a simple fan interaction into one of the night’s most memorable highlights.
Videos of the moment quickly spread across social media, drawing attention not only from BTS fans but also from football supporters.
The clip even caught the attention of ESPN Mexico, which shared the video on its official social media channels with the caption:
“The Haaland fever has reached BTS.”
The crossover delighted fans from both communities, with many praising Jimin’s sense of humor and his willingness to interact with fans in creative ways.
Some football fans joked that Haaland had gained an unexpected celebrity impersonator, while ARMY celebrated yet another example of Jimin’s playful personality during the tour.
Although it lasted only a few seconds, the imitation became one of the most widely shared concert moments from BTS’ European tour, once again showing how spontaneous interactions with fans can create viral moments that extend well beyond the K-pop community.
As BTS now prepare for their historic appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, Jimin’s playful nod to one of football’s biggest stars has become a fitting reminder of the growing connection between the worlds of global music and international sport.
