Inside Coldplay star Chris Martin's unlikely friendship with K-Pop superstar BTS singer Jin and the strange row that emerged over whether their 'love' is authentic

Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin and BTS crooner Jin have had a blossoming friendship ever since their bands collaborated in 2021.

Their smash-hit My Universe debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

The incredible feat was the Korean groups sixth chart-topping song in the US and Coldplay's second after the 2008 single Viva La Vida.  

Chris and Jin have publicly spoken of their admiration for one another, with the Coldplay singer even gifting the Korean star his favourite guitar. 

But why has a row emerged questioning the authenticity their friendship? MailOnline take a look at the unlikely bond between the two musicians.

Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin (pictured) and BTS crooner Jin have had a blossoming friendship ever since their bands collaborated in 2021

The collaboration between BTS and Coldplay - My Universe -  debuted number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (pictured: Jin in 2022)

But why has a row emerged  among fans questioning the authenticity the friendship between Coldplay and BTS? (left to right in 2021: J-Hope, Jin, V, Jungkook, Jimin, Suga and Chris Martin centre)

When did Coldplay and BTS collaborate?

The legendary British band Coldplay teamed up with global-sensation BTS to bring the masses My Universe in 2021.

Produced by Swedish hitmaker Max Martin, the collaboration between the Korean  and English band came out to fans on September 24, 2021.

Discussing the creative process, lead singer Chris Martin described the boy-band as a 'joy' to work with.

'I love them, and we love them, and it's been such a joy,' he said on Zayne Lowe's  Apple Music One show.

'It's something you could look at so cynically, and we have at times, but anytime there's actual communication or music between us, it just feels so good.

'So, I unabashedly and unashamedly feel really grateful for the song, grateful for the person that inspired the song, and grateful for the people we sing it with.'

Opening up about how the single came to be, the Brit-pop crooner revealed the song idea was birthed from 'a loving text'.

Chris added: 'It had been in my mind for a while that someone had said BTS were wondering if we’d do a song for them or something like that.

'And the phrase, "My universe," in this text was like, "Oh, that’s a cool song title".'

Listening to a spare loop he received from a collaborator named Bill Rahko, Chris explained that the chorus came to him while driving around in his car. 

'So, I drove straight back to the studio, I said, "Okay, let’s put this down now." This is all in the same day. Then I started singing the chorus, and it felt good,' he shared.

Following the call, the band began communicating with BTS and flew all the way to Korea to get to work.

The popular groups also took to the American Music Awards stage to perform their global hit song My Universe in November 2021. 

Produced by Swedish hitmaker Max Martin, the collaboration between the Korean and English band released the single to fans on September 24, 2021

Chris Martin described the boy-band as a 'joy' to work with: 'I love them, and we love them'

Is BTS singer Jin a Coldplay fan?

Following their collaboration, BTS' Jin announced that Chris had gifted him a guitar with 'Worldwide Handsome Jin' inscribed on the side.

Eagle-eyed fans even spotted a detail that made the present even more meaningful - the instrument had been played by Chris since 2012 and was among his favourites. 

The Korean singer also received a flurry of Love Buttons, which Chris himself dons regularly. 

Jin has been open about his admiration for the British band, regularly adding their tracks Fix You and The Scientist to his Spotify playlists.

When previously asked his favourite song in a 2017 during a JBTV interview he proudly answered Coldplay's Viva La Vida.

BTS as a whole have never hid their love for the British group, stating that Coldplay was their favourite rock band.

Hopes for a collaboration between the two internationally acclaimed groups came after Jin's cover of Fix You went viral online. 

However Chris wasn't always seemingly convinced a collaboration between the two groups would work.

Discussing his initial trepidation, he told On Air With Ryan in 2021: 'At first I was like no way.

'The idea got suggested by worldwide handsome Jin from BTS and I was like "I don't know how that could ever work. We are going to look like their fading sports coaches on the side."

'Then one day the song just appeared and it was like "Oh this [song] is meant to be for us and BTS I think", and now here we are - feeling very surreal but an amazing adventure.'

Jin and BTS have been fans of Coldplay for a while, with the band citing Coldplay as one of their favourite rock bands (pictured 2023)

Following their successful collaboration, Chris reciprocated the admiration gifting Jin his favourite guitar and showering him with Love Buttons (pictured: Jin with the Love Buttons)

Why are Coldplay and BTS fans arguing? 

However everything hasn't been harmonious between the groups' fandoms since their star-studded collaboration.

Recently several hard-core BTS fans have been sharing claims to X (formerly Twitter) that the iconic British group was using the Korean group for clout.

The discussion arose after American musician, UMI, who has previously collaborated with BTS member Taehyung, directly encouraged BTS fans of the group to see her on tour.

Following this an argument ensued accusing artist of using BTS for more fame and recognition.

However when fans levied accusations against Chris and Coldplay of using the Korean pop group many came to their defense.

'I understand Army being mad at people who bullied UMI, but comparing Coldplay collaboration is an extremely poor example.

Although the relationship between the bands have blossomed, the same harmony doesn't exist between their fandoms (left to right in 2021: Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin, and J-Hope)

BTS fans began debating if iconic British group Coldplay were using BTS for clout after 

'Coldplay is one of the legendary bands of all time, broaden your horizon guys, they have never used BTS and Army for clout…they have millions of fans….'

Another chimed in: 'Chris Martin doesn’t talk about BTS or Jin to chase clout. It’s out of pure love. 

'He doesn’t need Army to sell out concerts. They have been doing it for decades even before BTS came into existence.'

However this is not the first time Coldplay and BTS followers have clashed, with many complaining to Reddit after followers of the Korean pop group  said the pop group made Fix You popular.

Responding to a 2021 tweet from the Brit Awards announcing Fix You had gone triple platinum, one BTS fan said: 

'Now it's popular thanks to BTS, [who] did a beautiful cover on MTV Unplugged months ago.' 

Airing their frustrations on the Reddit thread, one Coldplay fan penned: 'Twitter is plagued with BTS fans that are children. It is what it is I guess.'

'Guessing 90% of BTS fans were born on or after the year 2005.'

'I have nothing against kpop, Korean groups, or the music they make. The fans however. . . are a different matter.'

Coldplay and BTS fans have clashed before after followers of the Korean pop group claimed they made Fix You popular

Many fans of the British group took to Reddit air their frustrations about BTS fans