Sometimes one feels deeply ashamed of our artistic intelligentsia – the so‑called one. The current generation of «creators» has effectively destroyed the cinema and theatrical art that existed in the USSR, reducing films and stage productions to the level of crude farces, and obliterated the profession altogether. The standard of diction, the ability to move in front of the camera and on stage – let alone any attempt to grasp even the basic meaning of the lines they deliver – is abysmally low.  And yet these figures of «high art» also have the audacity to criticise their foreign colleagues and feel entitled not even to apologise.

Actor Andrei Gaidulyan, who for decades has been playing the same role in sitcoms like "Univer" and "Sasha and Masha", has decided to unleash a criticism at BTS. That alone reveals his complete lack of competence in contemporary music, as well as his ignorance of the standards of conduct that once distinguished the genuine russian creative intelligentsia – the generation that made real films and that, alas, has now passed on.

During the World Cup final, on his account on a social network banned in Russia – which the actor, despite the ban, inexplicably continues to use – Gaidulyan posted a message in which he gives the middle finger in the direction of BTS and calls the event a «cockroach circus». His exact words: «The Americans put on a cockroach circus during the World Cup halftime.» It should be recalled that for the first time in World Cup history, the organisers staged a mini‑concert during the interval, featuring Madonna, BTS, Shakira, Justin Bieber and other stars. Now, according to Gaidulyan, that is a «cockroach circus».

BTS fans took the post as an insult to the group – with racist undertones – and unleashed a wave of outrage, demanding an apology. The spearhead of the criticism was, of course, ARMY, with sympathisers gradually joining in.

The actor did not apologise. Real men don’t apologise. To apologise - that seems to be beyond the comprehension of our cultural beau monde. The most coherent response he could muster was a video in which he began to teach the World Cup organisers on how to produce a proper show:

«I have no complaints about BTS. They are great guys. The problem is that I love everything genuine – or, as they say nowadays, authentic. When I watch the World Cup, I want to watch the World Cup. When I watch the Super Bowl, I want to watch the Super Bowl. And I do not want to watch the Super Bowl when I am watching the World Cup. All these shows are simply out of place at a World Cup. It is all commerce – I long for something real.»

We would like to inform the actor that we, as viewers, also want to see authenticity – not the shoddy fare that is being produced, not least by his own hands and talent, on our screens.

In response to the criticism from all sides and the angry social‑media posts, the actor deleted the original post, but continued to troll fans by posting low‑brow photomontages in a cringe‑style.

«Before you write nasty things about me, study the history of your favourite group and all the facts,» writes the actor, who now not only lectures BTS on singing and the 2026 World Cup organisers on showmanship, but also ARMY – who have every step of their idols chronicled – on history. An astonishing loss of touch with reality.

In reaction, Russian ARMY called on their overseas counterparts for help and are demanding that Gaidulyan’s account be banned; they have also appealed to the TNT channel to fire the actor (we should note at once that this demand is unrealistic in the current Russian reality).

Links to Gaidulyan’s accounts: 1, 2, 3

The Actors We Deserve?

It is worth recalling that earlier in January 2026, comedian Pavel Volya ventured to criticise Jungkook’s (BTS) appearance with the quip: «You can pour syrup on them to make them sweeter! Jungkook, where are your balls?» Unlike Gaidulyan, Volya admitted his mistake and apologised to fans for his over‑spiced joke. The apology was criticised by many, but at least it was made.

It is deeply shameful. When Fanasia launched the «We and They» section on our website, we intended to fill it with positive news about intercultural exchange, cooperation, interesting events and creative dialogues between different cultures and works of art. But we are forced to respond to such disgrace as well. We apologise to our readers for any excessive emotionality on the part of the editorial team.

Source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6