FAN EXPO Dallas — Texas' biggest pop culture celebration — returned to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center from May 30 to June 1, 2025, bringing together fans, stars, and unforgettable moments. One such moment came courtesy of WWE icon and Hollywood actor John Cena, whose candid comment during a panel quickly lit up the BTS fandom, ARMY.
While answering questions during a Q&A, Cena was asked about his thoughts on K-pop, especially given his well-documented admiration for BTS. Staying true to his straightforward charm, he replied, "I don't necessarily like K-pop — I gravitate toward BTS." His honesty struck a chord with fans, many of whom took to social media to say: same.
Cena went on to reveal his BTS bias without hesitation: "J-hope is my guy," he said, earning cheers from the crowd and sparking fan celebrations online. But it was his next statement that struck a deeper chord.?
"What BTS specifically did for me is they found me at the right time in my life to give me hope and inspiration through who they are as people," he shared. "They reached a 48-year-old dude who was struggling with self-worth."?
Clips of Cena's heartfelt words quickly went viral among fans, many of whom echoed similar sentiments — that BTS came into their lives during difficult times and helped them feel seen, supported, and inspired.?
For ARMY, Cena's message wasn't just celebrity praise; it was a reminder of the universal impact BTS has had on fans worldwide, regardless of age, background, or even music preferences.
The wrestler and actor has?never shied away from expressing his admiration for BTS and their message of self-love. The group, he revealed, helped him through a personal "moment of weakness" and even inspired him to write his books. His support goes beyond words — he's shared photos of BTS members, especially J-Hope, on his social media, proudly showing his appreciation as a true fan.
When John Cena appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2021, he opened up about a difficult period in his life and how BTS played an unexpected role in helping him through it.?
"Around four years ago, I decided to have a vulnerable moment and post something thought-provoking on Twitter," he shared. "Back then, a lot of what I wrote was about self-love because I was in a rough place — I didn't see myself as enough."?
As it happened, BTS had just released their Love Yourself album, and Cena's posts struck a chord with the group's fanbase, ARMY. "It was amazing timing," he said. "Here I was, a 16-time WWE champion, talking about vulnerability, self-worth, and not being ashamed of who you are — things people didn't expect from someone like me."?
However, to his surprise, ARMY embraced his message. "I was essentially saying the same things as BTS, and their fans supported me. These books I've written now? They exist because the BTS ARMY was brave enough to lift me up when I was being open and honest. That support turned into a passion."?
He concluded, "I really have to thank K-pop — and especially BTS — for being there in a moment of weakness and inspiring me to grow."?
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