KINGDOM’s agency, GF Entertainment, has decided to recall the albums for their upcoming 7th EP ‘History of KINGDOM Part VII: JAHAN’ due to a controversy surrounding its original design. The album cover received immediate criticism for its resemblance to the Quran’s cover upon its release. In response to the backlash, GF Entertainment has taken the step to address the issue and apologize to the Muslim community. The agency also announced their intention to recall the albums with the offending artwork.

KINGDOM Recalls New EP Pre-Orders Following Backlash

On September 25, GF Entertainment issued an official apology about KINGDOM’s upcoming mini album.

“We’ve recently received feedback concerning the cover of KINGDOM’s 7th mini album, which was originally scheduled for pre-order on the 21st. It has been pointed out that the design bears some resemblance to the Islamic scripture,” the statement read.

“KINGDOM is a group that strives to showcase the richness of world cultures through K-pop, with a strong commitment to promoting cultural diversity and coexistence. We deeply regret that this controversy has arisen due to our lack of awareness and oversight, and we acknowledge our shortcomings in this matter. We offer our sincere apologies to the Muslim community and anyone else who may have felt discomforted by this situation,” it continues.

The statement further states that the company is “taking steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.” It then confirms that the agency will “recall and discard all 70,000 copies of the initial album edition and proceed with a reissue.”

Pre-orders for KINGDOM’s new album were initially set for September 21. However, it will now recommence on September 26, 2023. Needless to say, the decision reflects the agency’s commitment to respecting cultural sensitivities and avoiding any unintentional offense.

KINGDOM’s 7th EP is titled ‘History of KINGDOM Part VII: JAHAN’. The upcoming album is expected to be released on October 18, 2023.