cathy-gabby

[cathy-gabby]

An Echo of Happiness

May 18, 2025

Before I start, can I just drool over my man here? This is my favorite part of the MV and this is shown in a quarter of a second, maybe (LOL!) But my gosh, he just looks so hot and so manly here – the fitted white shirt tucked on grey slacks, the broad shoulders, the slim fit, the forehead – plus going after his girl during a big fight? Gosh! This man and this scene are doing insanely hot things to me.

🥵 🥵 🥵

Anyway.

I love DSYLM so much. Among all the songs in Echo, this is perhaps my most favorite. (It was a toss up between HOTW and IBT in Happy.) I mean, I like songs based on the vibe, regardless of the lyrics. And I have always liked breezy, easy pop songs, and their pop rock and pop ballad variations. So when the MV was played and I heard the song for the first time, I was already humming through the second verse. Although I was actually very nervous watching the MV because what if Jin will suddenly have a kissing scene? Or a bed scene? Or a shower scene? 🫣 🫣

Like, really, I was bracing myself for a kissing scene or tender moment when this scene came on.

But Jin remains the Victorian man that he is. Like, c’mon, why is it so dark when he flashed his tummy? He would have solved all of Korea and Japan’s low birth rate problem. Kidding!

But the MV is tastefully done – it was more of a short film, actually. Plus their visuals are insane!!! They look so good together. Seokjin chose well for a leading lady in his MV.

I would have wanted another MV for Rope It. Yes, this is my second favorite track. Honestly, among all the 7 songs, I could easily distinguish DSYLM and Rope It even after a few notes because of their unique sounds. For the rest of the songs, I have to wait for the chorus part before I could tell which is which. (Sorry, Jin, my dinosaur self is showing.) But the Rope It MV would surely outdo the Super Tuna phenomenon. I could just imagine how wild the fans would be when he would sing it during his concerts.

But Seokjin had already declared his bias towards NWYL – from seriously considering it to be the title track to wanting a separate fan chant for it during the concert. He barely even talked about With the Cloud when he wrote about 90% of its lyrics. He always mentions Nothing Without Your Love. Well, Seokjin, we are not surprised.

Without this person, you are nothing? This person is your everything? Okay.

There is no one else but this person? You promise this person is your only world? All right.

In the words of the ever romantic Kim Taehyung, Jin is a loverboy.

We wanna see it in motion, Seokjin. 🤭 🤭

Seriously, though, Seokjin looks very happy and oozing with confidence these days. Anyone could tell that he is very proud of Echo. As he said in a previous interview, Happy was for the fans but Echo is for himself, an introspection into his own experiences and the different emotions that are common to everyone. Maybe this was the initial reason why people thought it’s a breakup album. But he said so himself that he has difficulty relating to DSYLM because he has not experienced such kind of toxic emotion. Good for you, Seokjin. You must have been in a very loving and nurturing relationship. Kudos to you and your partner. Protect each other, ok?

And anyone who thinks that you are innocent and single is a Loser and deserves to be Roped. 🤣

Meanwhile, I am enjoying Echo and the barrage of contents he is offering. (In fact, while writing this, I am waiting for his Screwballs variety show episode on Netflix after checking X posts of his Hi-Seokjin event in Seoul.) He truly loves his fans and he is genuinely a good man. I only want the best for him. To Me, Today, I promise myself, so long as he is happy, I am happy With the Cloud, forever hovering in the Background, behind him. And in every word, every lyric, and lingering note, in every laughter and smiles, his happiness will remain a timeless ECHO in my heart.

PS: I am already worried about the coming months, Seokjin going on tour and his partner doing whatever. But that is a post for another day.

[cathy-gabby]

I would seriously enjoy talking to other believers. To go over theories, ask questions, get/give answers to questions on things that may have been bothering us or wondering about. Sorry, I am not explaining myself well. I went to make this post but when I started.. my words left me. I have read different times of people suggesting such a place or to make one but never heard if one was and honestly wouldn't know how to start one. I know sometimes there are things that are easier to ask, discuss on a one on one dynamic rather than a public post. Not that something is wrong or someone is ashamed to ask but sometimes it is just easier.. I know I am not explaining myself well but hopefully you understand what I am trying to say. I know there are posts of yours that I may want to ask but my comment would be too long or not sure how to ask something about it.

Sorry, this is much longer than I intended. Please if you know of such a place please message me OR if you or anyone would like to have another person to talk with, please send me a message. I would love to make a new friend(s) that loves Seokjin and may also be a believer.

Also if you have any suggestions of YouTube channels, Instagram pages, or Tumblr blogs.. please would enjoy finding new ones. Unfortunately my favorite YouTubers aren't making new content

Hi there!

I so understand how you feel. There was a time when I also wanted to join GCs on X because I wanted to talk to fellow fans, share and exchange ideas. But I am too much of an introvert to actually join one, even if it is virtual. So I just content myself with reading their posts and then shouting my excitement and frustration into the void through this blog 😁😁

You may join GCS or you may create one yourself, or comment on posts if you are active on X. As for me, although I am primarily on twitter, I am just a private lurker. So I could not really comment or join any GC.

Youtube is another avenue for sharing ideas. Currently, I am following YT creator Jinkook Realz. Their jnkk analysis videos are well-researched and on-point without stretching the imagination. The last two posts are about tkk and jkk and how they affect jnkk. You might want to check them out. I rewatched these videos plus other videos from past jnkk channels whenever I feel down. Plus the comment section is overflowing with healthy discussion about jnkk past present and future. There are also YT commenters who have been staunched jnkk supporters as early as 2016. I feel better knowing that there are still people out there who believe in them.

You may also check out ezamevolni here on tumblr. They are no longer active but her contents are well researched. I read them again from time to time when I want to feel better.

PS: Do not hesitate to ask away. I would like to hear your thoughts and questions. As I have said, my posts are all based on my deluluness about Jin so I am more often 100% wrong 🤣🤣

[cathy-gabby]

first i am a believer as well . have a few questions and instead of doing multiple asks going to put them together. maybe you could touch on these are some point if you feel the need. i know wrote about jk being or appearing to be depressed

you mentioned about him not singing the astronaut and singing another song on a couple different lives about finding someone . my question is . on one of those lives the flirting with rm. he and rm were very obvious flirting. why?

what are your thoughts on they songs they wrote. i think they are for each other. take for instance their latest songs my you and epiphany demo released same time and then the latest never let go and i will come to you - there are others but those are the latest i think they are to each other. thoughts

on the subject of songs . jk golden closet he had a video where everyone was in a video except for jin and the song he used was your side of the bed. thoughts. also as for his vides he always seems to show jimin i dont see them as a couple jikook looks fake to me

also he did a cover of the song falling in the song it mentions this drink in my wondering hands is jk implying that he cheated because wondering hands implies cheating - yes i know that wasnt written by jk but i feel he picks songs that mean something to him and his life

you mentioned jhs possible relationship have you seen the theory about the song battle between jhs and rm that people think was about jin

birthdays why do you think jk never wishes jin happy birthday he wishes other members but as for jin it is silence . utterly rude. the disrespect is astounding

i am sure there are more but i will leave these for now. please continue with your blog i like reading your thoughts

oh as for the picture that you showed that some said they took of jin in public i dont believe or trust that picture . as private a person as jin is he would in no way be cuddled up with some man in public like that that must be photo shop. the picture looks odd. look the man he is supposed to be holding the phone and taking a pic of the two of them and their positions are in great contrast there is no way that is legit

Hi there!

Gosh, the questions are very interesting. I think I have already touched on some of them - JK songs, FS, among others. But they are only based on my own personal opinion and feelings. There are YT and TT creators and bloggers out there who really painstakingly combed through hours and pages of contents so they can come up with more convincing theories. I admire them for that and I would have wanted to be like that as well. Alas! I do not have the time nor the energy to do that. Lol! That is why my contents are only based on my deluluness 🤣🤣🤣

That rap battle between jhs and rm is something I have to see - it was around the time, I think, when 2jin was still loud on twitter (mostly one sided, though, on jhs) and rm was still with his underground group. If you could share the link, I would truly appreciate it.

PS: Thank you for reading my little blog. The posts are very sporadic now, though, unlike before.

[cathy-gabby]

Thank you, Bro!

Being Seokjin’s fan made me realize that one person’s happiness (who is not related to me and who does not even know I exist in this world) is so important to me. I want him to be successful, yes. I want him to have more song lines and screen time, to be respected by his peers and members, to be supported and loved by the people around him. Yes, yes, and yes.

So seeing him last night (thru fan cams) in Coldplay’s Seoul concert made me burst with too much pride and happiness for him. Finally, he gets the poetic justice he deserves for My Universe. The Astronaut is now laced with happy memories. And the Seoul audience gets to witness firsthand the love, support and respect Chris Martin and Coldplay have for him.

I was not so into BTS yet when MU was released but I knew about the collective dismay of Seokjin-biased army for the 3-second line given to him. But last night, he had the vocal lines and the stage all to himself while being steered by Chris from one side to the other so more fans could see him up close. He ate. And he ate good!

Personally, this MU version is how MU should sound. I would have wanted them to release a single for this but Jin and Chris are not like that. This stage version is enough for them. Jin was so happy rocking the song on stage and Chris looked like a proud brother, brimming with joy at the happiness of his younger brother because of the gift he gave. Yes, this stage is Coldplay’s gift to Seokjin, just like how TA was their gift for him who in turn gave it to his fans as a farewell gift.

God knows I ugly cried when Jin sang The Astronaut in Argentina. Even when Chris was still introducing him, the tears already started falling. During the chorus part, I was already bawling. For most, if not all Seokjinnies, TA means heartbreak, longing, and sadness. Even before last night, I would always feel emotional whenever I would listen to it. Although Jin’s version of it after ME (Festa TA, Happy Stage TA) is already tinged with fondness for a past that is long gone, last night’s The Astronaut, with only Chris’s piano and Jin’s ethereal voice, was the happiest version for me. Chris’s fondness for Seokjin was obvious to everyone and he did not even pretend to hide it. Coldplay’s frontman was whipped for him at the get-go. The affectionate gazes, the tender hugs, the fond kisses – safe to say, Chris’s intrusive thoughts came over him last night – many are wondering what the 6 other members think, especially the youngest one. LOL!

Seriously, though, since his military discharge, Seokjin is even surer and more confident of himself. He has tried everything - from the Olympics to fashion shows, from alcohol business to rock music. When a member was harshly ostracized for drinking while driving a motorbike, Seokjin launched his alcohol business. In a world where nonsensical lyrics and visual performances are a priority, he chooses to become a rockstar. He seems not to care what people expect of him; he simply does what makes him happy.

His Happy era and his performance last night are a preview of what will still come for Echo and Run Jin Ep Tour. The leather jackets and smoky eye shadows are now out. Will he finally remove his shirt and show his abs? With Jin, anything is a possibility but for sure, he will still remain a Victorian man. The youngest member will go AWOL in a heartbeat if Jin shows more than his powerful forehead and milky legs. <Seven gunshots in 3D>

Whatever makes Jin happy, though, I am all for it. Looking at all the fancams and photos of last night, everyone could see that Jin is happier when performing. And with his idol on that stage, he is happiest. I honestly believe that Seokjin almost always gets whatever he desires - through hard work, sheer luck, Divine providence – because he is innately a GOOD person. My only wish is that he will have a life-long partner who will love him and treat him like the "princess" that he is. Like how Chris Martin and Coldplay love him. If not more.

Thank you, Chris, for loving Seokjin. Thank you, Jin, for being happy. Your happiness is our happiness.

[cathy-gabby]

Curious on your thoughts about the scandal from 2019. What was going on? A few different things leading up and around that time.. *the song Tonight (that is NOT about pets.. no matter what explanation they gave... Your in my everyday I'm in your everyday - his pets lived with his parents.. smiling face - not a pet) came out a few months before they took a break as a group.. That is a sad song.. sounds like he is afraid of losing someone (again if it was about his pets he already knows they are gone, so they words again don't make sense. *Jinkook didn't see (speak?) each the whole break *the J tattoo... (no the letters are NOT for the members.. some ARMY came up with that to explain to make themselves feel better) the ARMY tattoo and J tattoo were done at different times.. if they were for the members then he would have done them at the same time.. *The very obvious discomfort between them on BV4 * Jin left later that the others.. I do wonder if the truth was the staff knew the story was coming out and wanted to prepare Jin *Jin, Jk, and Suga went out on BV4 and the equipment wasnt working properly.. i have heard some say Suga was trying to help them .. some much more but Thoughts?????

which brings up the question.. his explanation that the J was for him.. sure JK sure.. (rolling eyes).. you aren't going to put your own intial on your RING finger.. he kissed the J!!!!!.. was it a grand gesture? think about the placements.. diagonal .heart.. R.. J (umm who is connected to RJ).. and then placement as is.. MY J

That BV4 was indeed memorable to Jinkook and to us as well. Something obviously happened between them. But they have moved past that even before BV4 concluded so that is water under the bridge. That ‘thing’ could have made them even closer and stronger so that when Jin had some personal issues in 2020, JK was so patient and attentive with him, gently nudging him to go back to his hobbies, to eating and gaming, to be just present. Fortunately, they are all past that and soon, in less than two months, the last hurdle separating them would be over and they would all be together. Of course, we do not know what happens next. JK might continue his temporarily halted global domination while Jin might be busy expanding his business and interests. Let us wait and see.

PS: I am more interested in the snake tattoo that looks like ‘jin’ on one side and ‘me’ on the other. (shaking my head in deluluness hehhehe)

[cathy-gabby]

i need to vent and am so upset .. I have just had enough.. I may bust if I don't say this to someone.. someone that may understand and may feel as I do.. another fan of Jin.. a Seokjinnie

I was looking up something the other day and it had nothing to do with what I found but it was people talking about the way that he couldn't dance. Excuse me.. are then talking about the same guy??? I have see videos of them placing Jhope and him on top of each other.. their moves match.. I have seen videos of professional dancers talking about how good he was. One even said he was the sexiest (I agree) and he further said if he fixed one thing (how his foot hit) that it was over for the rest.. (question.. why didn't anyone ever point that out of help to fix that). I have seen the other members make mistakes often yet.. the narrative and belittling is always on Jin for dancing. I even remember and interview and the whole audience yelled that he was the one that made the most mistakes.. what are people watching and another interview that V and JK.. JK!!!!! has NO problem saying his name. I am a Jinkooker but seriously what the hell... Jin deserves MUCH better. No partner or no good loving partner would do that. That isn't teasing that is mean and cruel. Thank goodness for RM in those interviews.

I saw someone constantly comment on someone's post about how he wasn't needed and how the others took turns babysitting him and went on and one (they also names all the couples they said in the group.. which of course they said he wasn't part of one)

People will use him to put down others, compare him. they will use his image so that their true bias isn't insulted or called out.

The latest.. why do people seriously thing this IMENSLY private man would talk about his sexual preferences. Meaning.. they took some off hand comment he said YEARS ago about eating big bites and then they take a more recent event on a Run Jin where they did wrestling and he wanted to know what the other guy (the ugly troll Jonathan.. sorry NOT a fan).. had done to him.. that happened YEARS inbetween yet people say he talks about it ALL THE TIME.. .. WTH!!!!???? How do those two things YEARS apart equal to all the time .. how do those things mean he is talking about sex. they have NOTHING to do with the other. i am disgusted. How do some people get something innocent and twist it into somethings DISGUSTING.. they make him out like he is some sicko that gets off on pain and torture.. some BDSM shit..

Thank you for being an ear.. i am just in tears.. I adore that man.. he is a kind sweet man..

Stan twitter is so mean to Seokjin. It is filled with RL and ML fans who always show their hatred towards Jin every other day. Whatever he does or does not do – these people always have something negative to say about him. I understand what you feel. I used to be greatly affected by these comments, too, especially knowing that Jin, at some time in the past, was also affected by these mean posts.

But after his military enlistment, he has become more confident and surer of his ways. Sadly, he has also become chronically offline. It’s a good thing, though, because he would not be able to see all these drama. But it also means we see and hear less and less of him. Plus, he might not be able to read all the beautiful loving posts about him.

These past days, however, X contains viral appreciation and loving tweets about Jin and what an excellent human he is. I feel happy knowing that fans and non-fans alike have seen and felt his goodness.

But generally, I stay out of X or just mute and block posts and accounts that are mean to him and follow only likeminded Seokjinnies.

[cathy-gabby]

I have seen some talking about some rumors about JK and recently read JK attending a Aespa concert recently. I read this was when Jin was attending the Fred event. What are your thoughts? I don't want to be delusional about Jinkook but I truly believe they are together (a romantic couple). Besides even if then aren't, honestly I don't think JK is into women AT ALL. What am I missing???

One thing I know about JK - he loves watching concerts. So him watching Aespa might be him being a kpop fan.

I'd like to think that when JK is out in public during his break, Jin might have a schedule that is why he has to do his own thing while waiting for Jin. Like when he had that weverse live last December, I like to think that Jin might have been filming Run Jin or something that is why he did that karaoke weverse live to pass the time.

Whenever Jin has an event, he always posts something immediately. Sometimes, he even would open weverse live. So when he was seen leaving the Fred event, people were waiting for him to post something. But it took him a day or two before the photos were posted. Someone might have occupied his time and waited for that someone to go back to base before he could post the Fred photos. LOL!!! I am being a clown, of course.

[cathy-gabby]

I thought I was looking at my feed of recommended posters and read a post by you. At first I thought, Oh a Seokjinnie!!! I smiled... I liked what you wrote and went to follow you and discovered I already do. LOL.. Honestly, I don't recall when I did but I am so very new to Tumblr. I read more and tears.. not only are you a Seokjinnie.. but you are BELIEVER!!!! I believe Seokjin and Jungkook are couple too!!!! Guess I have a lot of reading to do (your posts) Please come back..

You are so sweet. :-) Thank you for taking the time to read my little blog. Consider yourself warned, though - the posts and thoughts are random and erratic, a product of my midnight Jin and Jinkook musings. ^0^

[cathy-gabby]

SHIPPING: Sink or Sail

(Disclaimer: The following contents are based on my own casual observations. Please do not shoot. If you are an avid fan of another member, please skip this blog.)

Life has been very hectic these days I could hardly breathe. During these times, I would have opened my AO3 and read Jnkk aus for relaxation and stress-relief. However, there is now a dearth of Jnkk aus that interest me and I have reread all my favorite stories too many times I can recite their lines with my eyes closed. So I resort to YT and look for Jin and Jnkk videos – sadly, because of ME, most recent videos are recaps of famous moments and Jnkk roman empires. My favorite YT channels have also gone on hiatus; others even deleted their accounts. I think I have also reread all of my favorite tumblr posts. So I checked X and searched for Jnkk AO3 recommendations and voila, several promising titles popped up. Clicking on some, I found many have a million or more views. Wow! The most viewed Jnkk au I have read has only around 200k views.

These aus are of course of the most famous ships – tkk, jkk, and surprisingly, ymn. There were even some spe, njn, and tjn. As much as I talked myself into thinking that I would open at least one for curiosity’s sake, I could not make myself do it. I cringe just with the thought of reading these stories – well written, perhaps – of other ships that I am not interested in. My HYPOCRITE self cannot believe that there are people who romanticize real people’s interactions; some may even actually believe that these real people are together in real life. (Shout-out to the writer for describing herself.)

There is a tried and tested formula to kpop – rapper, dancer, vocal, visual members; rigorous dance routines despite the inane music, and of course, shipping and fan service. One could even make a sweeping generalization that shipping is synonymous to k-pop. Never mind the rappers who cannot dance, the visuals who cannot sing, or the vocalists who overuse autotune – as long as the members perform fan service on stage, fans go wild with happiness, which means more album sales, more streams, more money.

And because shipping is such a lucrative business, BTS is not even exempted from it. Go where the river flows, they say.

When most of the members were underage, there was only playful banter among the members. tkk were the playful evil twins – running amok like the mischievous rascals that they were. jkk were the Busan boys – little jm as baby jk’s confidante and both were Jin’s little helpers for whenever he cooked for the group. When all the 7 members were of legal age, tjn emerged as the first ‘romantic’ ship. And so here we are now, a multitude of ships later of even the most bizarre and ridiculous pairings, with tkk and jkk fans killing each other squid-game style as to who is the realist pair.

But hey, who am I to discount anyone’s belief of their ship when I myself am a ‘believer’? When us Jnkkrs claim that we are not shippers but believers, what stops others from being ‘believers’ and not shippers of their own otp? I could list down a hundred reasons why Jnkk is real and others will list thousands of their own, with footnotes, annotations, and references in APA 7th edition format. So I say, to each his own. Whatever floats your boat.

As for me, I believe in Jnkk because I believe in Jnkk. Jin is my ultimate bias; I only pay attention to him – every quirk, every twitch, every word - so I notice who he is bias to and who else tries to attract his attention. All members might have been attracted and ‘in love’ with him at some point in their lives. Namjoon with puppy eyes a little upset that Jin did not make seaweed soup for him on his birthday (but made one for Jungkook a few weeks before). Suga professing his undying love for Jin while intoxicated (Maybe that was the only time he could tell his very oblivious hyung his intense feelings for him?). Jhope being overly touchy with Jin. Jimin confessing that he fell ‘in love’ with Jin’s face when he was 16 years old. Tae claiming that Jin was his most favorite person in the world. And Jungkook?

No comment. Teeheehe.

When members and fans say that Jin is the best hyung, he is really the best hyung. (Again, disclaimer: These are all my own opinion and observations.)

Despite being older, Jin respects Namjoon as the leader. Now that they are both mature, their relationship has always been that of mentor-mentee dynamic – the CEO referring to the chairman for advise. Why does Namjoon stay close to Jin during speeches and interviews? Why did Jin seek Namjoon after he gave that iconic speech about sajaegi while the latter clapped his hands with much ardor and pride for his hyung? (But when he got nervous as the music show MC, Jin looked for Jungkook.)

When Jin needs someone to drink and do things with, he asks Yoongi even when Yoongi does not want to. Getting a morning meal during ITS4? Going fishing very early in the morning? Getting a buzz cut for military service? Jin asks Suga and Suga comes along 100%. (Of course he will always choose Suga as a roommate, not even his mother, or father, or brother, or Jungkook.)

As a casual observer, I can say that Jin has always been protective of Jimin. Of all the members, Jimin is the most prone to depression and anxiety; he has always been hard on himself. Did he not say that Jin taught him how to be happy (or something to that effect)? Jin, to some extent, allows Jimin to be playful with him (but not as much as he allows Jungkook to get his way with him). It is no surprise then that he is one of the most affected when Jin left for mandatory service, second only to Jungkook.

Not surprisingly, Jin also tolerates Taehyung’s advances, to some extent. He knows that tjn ship has long sunk in the deep recesses of the ocean but he gets Tae’s level of skibidi and indulges him and the handful of loyal tjnnies.

Of them all, Jin is most comfortable with JHope. Yes, Jhope, not with Jungkook. He gets to be young and playful with him. He knows that whatever interactions they would have, people will not put any meaning to it. It’s the same with how he is comfortable with Suga, on a mature and philosophical level. They are not a ship and no one ships them. With the other members, Jin is always wary with the cameras and fans’ reactions. Either because they are a ship or the other members’ fans are just next level crazy.

So, is he not comfortable with Jungkook? He is. Very much. But he always has to be the level-headed and circumspect one. Some of Jungkook’s fans and most of his shippers are off-the-charts bonkers. Plus, he always has to be ready for what Jungkook will do or say next to him, cameras and audience be damned. I’d say it is all Jin’s fault. JK has always been his ultimate bias. He has allowed JK to always have his way with him, from head to foot. Manhandling him any which way he can, which Jin is obviously likes (bonus points if they are ripped, tattooed, and pierced).

Does JK also get his way with other members? Does he also melt them with his googly eyes? Yes, yes, and yes. If Jin is the ultimate hyung, Jungkook is the ultimate baby of the group, a spoiled brat in the good sense of the word. Jungkook has always been Namjoon’s number one fan (and crush – oohh, those thighs!); Suga is his most favorite older brother (his idol even, when it comes to fashion and drinking). He is also very playful with JHope (who tolerates him like an older brother to a younger brother). His relationship with Tae is a little complex because of shipping and because at the height of the tjn ship, Tae always got his way with Jin, insensitive to Jin’s discomfort and Jungkook’s feelings. But I daresay when Jin was enlisted, Tae was a very good friend to JK, inviting him for games and activities with his friends (to maybe distract him from his loneliness). He is most comfortable with Jimin, of course. I think I have written already about how Jimin perhaps might have been the first to know about JK’s blooming infatuation towards Jin. Jimin might have even acted as the ‘bridge’ so JK will get closer to Jin. It is obvious how comfortable he is with Jimin as he promotes their ship willingly and happily.

All these pairings are just with Jin and JK with other members. There are other pairings and more popular ships out there. But I am more interested in how these two interact with the others and with each other.

So is Jnkk a ship? (In my previous draft, I wrote 2 pages of Jnkk history but I scrapped it to stay on the topic. Maybe I would be able to post it someday.)

At first, they tried to sell it as a ship – hyung-maknae dynamic. And their interaction was purely playful, with Jungkook getting his bratty ways with Jin. But one cannot deny Jungkook’s longing stares, and possessive actions. Of course, as the youngest in the group whose members were all attracted to Jin, one cannot help but be territorial. But did Jin reciprocate?

Jin’s soft and adoring gazes were all brotherly. The man was oblivious, through and through. (Even now. But that is a story for another day.) Anyway, personally, I believe Jin was with jhs before their debut and until about two years after. Then later, maybe with ljh, around 2016. (Jin’s clean break habit is so thorough. When he is done, he is done. Period. I followed jhs on IG – he posted a big fat F U to his musician friend who attended Jhope’s listening party where Jin and JK were cozy. Interestingly, he archived all his posts and went on IG hiatus on the day HAPPY was released. ljh, on the other hand, could not stop talking about Jin until now. Sadly, Jin does not even acknowledge his existence, despite inviting Sandeul twice on Run Jin.)

Around the time when JK was already of legal age, the dynamic changed. Instead of hyung-maknae, it is now a friendly banter between friends of the same age. Perhaps they were both excited but there were times when they would forget themselves, hence, the Dispatch article which started some rumors about them. After that, they always had to stay guarded; or rather, Jin had to be always on high alert because Jungkook did not care about restrictions and shipping and audience. He would get unhappy and detached when he’s not near Jin to downright sulky when Jin would not pay him any attention.

Later as JK matured and perhaps when they became more secure with each other (JK might have been afraid that Jin would prefer someone older; Jin might have been wary that JK would want someone younger), the public displays and playfulness have mellowed down. (The pandemic might have helped, allowing them to become even closer. But like water that seeps through cracks, love isn’t something that can be covered up; it flows through in the simplest moments, making it clear to anyone watching. But that is a story for another time). JK is now more active in promoting his ships; Jin is a happy onlooker while also giving the bare minimum for his own ships. All to make the fans happy. (And to draw attention away from them.)

Yes, their separate ships and those of others must be fed. Despite being already at the pinnacle of success and this generation’s representative band, members STILL perform fan service and EVEN NOW while serving in the military. Of course, I am not discounting the fact that these seven members have gone through hell and reached the top together for more than ten years. Their bond is more than that of friendship; it’s brotherhood. Their interaction, therefore, is as real as any other.

So why does BTS still perform fan service?  Is it the fans who put stupendous meaning to every single word or twitch or eye contact? Is it the company which heavily promotes these ships so they run their way to the bank? Is it the members themselves who capitalize on genuine interactions for extra attention? or to satisfy the terms of their contract?

I say – all of the above?

I just hope that after everyone has served ME and when they play out the terms of their new contract, that the fan service will stop. That Jungkook will put an end to all the deluluness of his shippers. If tkkrs and jkkrs will all collectively perish because of it, then so be it. If Jnkk is also a ship, then he should stop looking at Jin like he is undressing him in front of everyone (teehehe!).

But no, for me, Jnkk is not a ship. Whatever they may have, it is only for them and between them. I and the rest of their believers are just so happy that we get to witness it in this lifetime. If, somehow, Jin ends up married with another partner, that is all right with me. I will support him and his partner all the way. Will I be angry that I may be deceived? No, because I choose to believe in them. I would just feel thankful that at some point, and on busy days like today, Jnkk makes me happy.

And then I move on.

But for now, I am here.

PS: I am rambling so bad. I have to get back to work but I need to get all of these off my chest. Perhaps, someday, I would get to edit this.

[cathy-gabby]

Happy Jinmas

December 24, 2024

I know Christmas is similar to Valentine's Day in Korea - it's a couple's holiday. But since Jin decorated his house for Christmas and even shared a photo of his holiday-festive entryway on weverse, I think he celebrates Christmas like the rest of the world.

He is now resting, music-wise - Happy promo may have already been over - but I am glad that he enjoyed his solo time and that he is now spending deserved vacation with family and friends.

The past 6 months since his discharge had been non-stop work for him and we are so blessed and well-fed. 2024 truly more than makes up for the heartbreak of 2022 and the emptiness of 2023. Someone I followed on X (@Mirrordanceworx) shared this graphic of Jin's work in the last 6 months:

I am excited to see what he will come up with next, OST and Netflix reality show aside. On that note, I might also come up with new posts in the next couple of days now that the holidays have set in (if I get inspired 😏). I know the last few posts showed my angry side - I realized I grow horns and tail when protecting Jin - that is why I stopped posting when the album was released and followed only like-minded seokjinnies on social media. My resentment for ot6 and "army" took away the happiness in happy. Plus November was a busy month for work I hardly had enough time to catch up with his contents and watch them in real time 😞

But I was able to watch his live with Hobi and smiled like an idiot all throughout even though I could not understand a thing (weverse translation suck 🙄).

I think the weverse live, aside from being a christmas live, is also an adieu to Jin's Happy era and a hello to Hobi's time. Jin can now focus on new music (maybe), new contents, new concepts, and new job as CEO. I am so looking forward to 2025.

[cathy-gabby]

Thoughts are Thunking

November 1, 2024

It's October 31. The last day of the month; the last day of I’ll Be There tracking as well. For the past few days, there was a lot of in-fighting – Seokjin-biased fans vs ot7 for not supporting the song, Seokjin girlies amongst themselves for not standing up for Jin, for not doing much, blah blah blah. Now everyone has mellowed down and focused on working on last minute streaming and buying parties (and avoiding all the drama) to get Jin that Hot100 or BB200. (While writing this, Hourjinnie’s playlist is playing in the background. I am doing what little I can to help boost Jin’s pre-release song.)

I could write an entire thesis about the events of the last few days and why, even though it is heartbreaking, it is not at all surprising. But so much has been said and written I do not want to add anymore to the drama. I will just write my scrambled thoughts here lest I will combust. Besides, my tumblr is all for me, a repository of my delusions and distress. If, somehow, you have lost your way here, please leave quietly; you do not want to be at the receiving end of my scattered and unhinged thoughts.

I’ll Be There – 90s Baby

I cannot stop gushing about how I love IBT: the rock musicality of it, Jin’s rock voice that fits it to a T, the MV, the styling, everything. I feel transported to 90s MTV and early 2000s The OC and One Tree Hill. The MV itself is a story on its own. So many analyses have been posted on X about the meaning of the MV but this is the one that resonated most with me.

There was also another one that talks about how the MV is a reflection of BTS’s history but I could not find it anymore on X. In a nutshell, that analysis talks about how the MV starts with Jin singing with no audience (BTS as nugus), then the kids watching him amusedly (BTS with few fans), then the teenagers and people from all walks of life enjoying his song (BTS and their worldwide fans), and then at the end, just Jin singing and dancing alone  - that regardless of whether the fans are there or not, Jin (or BTS) will always “sing for you”.

Personally, the song is an ode to the halcyon days of my youth (gosh, I sound so pretentious using this phrase :-D) – being carefree and free, loved and in-love. That is why I love it so much.

Happy US, Happy Worldwide

With how the promotion is done for IBT and Jin’s upcoming schedules, one can safely assume that Happy will be heavily promoted in Japan and Korea. I have moots on X who lament on how his album promotion seems to be shortsighted when he could have easily followed JK’s path to worldwide pop phenomenon. Hah! In my humble opinion as a nugu, Scooter and Bang will never allow anyone to overshadow Golden. That company-paid article on Billboard proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Scooter and Bang believed themselves to be responsible for JK’s success. And with how Scooter’s position is precariously dependent on Hybe’s success in America, anyone getting nearly if not the same success as JK without Scooter’s hand will put into question his credibility. So, no, Jin and Happy will not get the same promotion and payola in the US and worldwide if he is not going to kiss Scooter’s and Bang’s dirty asses.

Superstar Jin, Debut Jin

Sometimes, I just wish Jin to be very selfish and bully his way into getting what he deserves now that he is in his solo era as a payback for the years and years of company mistreatment. But knowing Jin, he will never compromise his values and principles. For someone who believes that music can be enjoyed in honest ways, he is hauling his ass off doing all these promotions, nudging the fans to the right direction.  Tons and tons of unique POBs so fans will buy more albums. YT and TV contents so the gp will get to hear his songs. Highlighting diversified music platforms like Apple Music and Amazon because YT and Spotify are scammers!! Video calls. Hi-touch. Music showcases. Heck, I will not even be surprised if Jin will also be busking in Myeongdong or in the Han River like what Coldplay did in their promotion of Moon Music.

The way I see it, Jin sees himself as a debut solo singer introducing himself again and his music to his fans by doing all these promotions. Rather than having the fans edifying idols to superstardom through heavy promotion and pandering to fans’ sexual fantasies, Jin of BTS sheds off his superstar status and brings his real authentic self and his original music down to the level of the fans. He is not circumventing his way to success; he is immersing himself in the process, meeting fans and the gp along the way, without being overbearing and blatantly aggressive.

Wootteo is Jin, Jin is Wootteo

That is why he uses Wootteo to do the promotion for him. Rather than belligerently doing it himself, he hides behind Wootteo to promote TA, to say goodbye to the fans, to welcome himself back after military, and now to support Happy. Now, Wootteo (Jin) is a collaborator on the BTS IG channel, cross-posting photos from the plushie’s account, rather than from his own. He is and will forever be humble, modest, and unassuming, that we are left wondering if he is even aware of his own superstar status despite constantly claiming as such in jest. Besides, for those who want Jin to remove his clothes so people will buy his album and stream his songs, here is Wootteo showing off his rounded butt. The guy does not even have his clothes from head to toe – what else can you ask for? Conservative, my ass!

OT7 and Hybe

Yes, Jin is conservative. In an industry that is mired with scandals and dirty tactics, he remains highly principled and decent. How many times has he ended up in hot water with BH and Hybe for disregarding whatever narrative the company wants because it is against his own values? Jin does not want to be told. Period. He is not a puppet that blindly follows what the company wants. Obviously, he pays for it. Hard. The member with the least lines? with only few seconds of screen time? with no company support during ME bullying? with the most hardworking, loyal, but victimized fans? Yes, that’s Jin.

Do the fans do anything about it? Seokjinnies and Seokjin-biased armys would call out the company at the risk of being tagged a solo by the so-called fandom. How many Seokjin accounts were forced to go ia because of bullying and name-calling. Time and time again, the fandom purports the idea of ot7 but when it comes to Seokjin, they are deaf, mute, and blind. And yet, they would harshly lash out on anyone that calls out the company for mistreatment. With the way they defend the company, one wonders if they are really ot7 or hybe employees. The victimization of ot6 never stops but for them, Seokjin willingly chooses to have the least lines and screentime. Hah! Logic is never their strongest suit. They are simply spouting whatever narrative the company wants them to believe. They’re like the vermin of Hamlin, following the pied piper to their demise. Ironically, now that the company is in quagmire, the so-called ot7 are now calling Seokjin the number 1 company defender and most favored member. Well, how I wish that to be true so Jin gets the millions of payola and promotion that others get.

BH Favorites

Of course, we all know who are the company favorites. Hybe does not even pretend to hide it. Yet their fans would always claim that their fave is a victim of ugly mistreatment. Either they are truly not happy with how their fave’s career is handled or they are simply masking the blatant favoritism by changing the narrative. At the very least, each member has free reign of what and how to promote but the scale of the promotion is now up to the company. And with their favorites, the company pushed too hard for their promotion and blatant payola one wonders if they have already received their ROI.

Jin was and never will be the company’s favorite. Again, we go back to him doing his own thing without compromising his values. Unfortunately, in Korea, obedience is key and for the rest of the world, sex and flesh sell.

Running Wild

So Jin is doing it the long and honest way. I am running wild with nervousness for him. I want I’ll Be There to do well on the charts so that he will know that we are very excited and very happy for his album. I want him to be as successful, if not more successful than the rest of the members. He was waiting patiently for almost two years, letting his fellow members shine and supporting them along the way. It is now HIS TIME. And he has been working hard since discharge. For all HIS fans. I want him to feel and to know that he is loved by his fans by getting the accolades and success that he truly deserves. I want him to be HAPPY.

I will be HAPPY, too, yes, but I will be very anxious as well because I just really, really want him to get the desires of his heart for this album.

I just love him so, so much.

[cathy-gabby]

I AM HERE, JIN.

October 28, 2024

I have not posted anything since I'll Be There was released. I went thru a rollercoaster of emotions - from being super excited before the song's release to being very emotional and excitedly giddy when it came out 😍😍 The song is very rockjin coded; I love it so much and I love him more for it 🥳🥳

But my social media is awash with negativity - for people focusing so much on numbers, competing with the success of other members, questioning the fandom for lack of support. All these are in contrast of what Happy is and should be about. 😔 I am honestly sad because of this.

Jin himself said that there are many dishonest ways to success but it would be better if people enjoy music in honest ways (or something to this effect). Jin loves his songs & listens to them. He is happy with what is he is doing. Surely, he wants us to enjoy his music and be happy because of it.

So the past days, I only focus on streaming IBT, joining Stationhead parties, watching the videos, buying when I can, hyping positive posts, and SUPPORTING those who work hard for Jin. They do what they do all because they love Jin. Understandably, many are frustrated. I am, too. But for my own mental health, I mute words, phrases, and people who only spout negativity. I just want to be HAPPY. FOR JIN. And for me.

PS: When I feel a lot better, I will write a more upbeat post about I'll Be There, the song of the year. 🙏🙏

PS:PS: Happy 2 years to the Astronaut!

[cathy-gabby]

I’ll Be There, Jin

October 23, 2024 Wednesday

This piece of writing has been sitting in my drafts for several days now. It has gone through several revisions – from being very spiteful to being an absolute downer.  I just wanted to write something very HAPPY for Jin.  But I have to get some stuff off my chest.

This is Jin’s time to shine. And he has been shining so brightly even beyond the grasp of the fandom that left others in awe or in shock. His fans are amazed by what he has achieved and are excited for all the heights he can reach. One cannot help but think that he would have been the most popular member and would have been the most successful solo artist if his star had not been stumped repeatedly by the company which does not want him to outshine other members.

Hah! I sound like I am victimizing Jin.

But his fans who have been here from the very start could attest to their nerve-wracking fear during every group comeback – praying for at least more lines or more screentime for Jin. I was not here yet in 2020 but moots would remember it as hellish time for Jin and all of them – for Dynamite to be a global smash hit but Jin only had a few seconds of song lines and screentime. No wonder he felt imposter’s syndrome which could have triggered his depression. Watching YT contents from that time, I could see what people were talking about – of Jin barely interacting, talking only when asked, zoning out and gazing off into the distance. That was just one example, though. Please don’t get me started on My Universe. Or of how the company has successfully quashed his dream of becoming an actor. Or of how they never defended Jin from the bullying and social pressure for him to enlist even as early as 25-effing-years-old.

But Jin is past all that. All he needed was for all his efforts recognized by an unbiased entity like the military and for everyone to see what an achiever he is. All his successes and accolades in the military are a big fat F U to everyone who bullied him to enlist and those who thought he is a lightweight. And these have exceedingly boosted his confidence! Post-military Jin gets out of the military base guns-a-blazing with confidence and sexiness (without taking off his clothes, mind you!). His six global ambassadorships (and still counting!) are a huge slap on the face of those who mocked him for the Jin Ramen endorsement. Big brands like Kolon Sport and Mini Cooper sponsoring his Run Jin episodes show the trust that these companies have in his impact. When left on his own, without company manipulation, Jin shines like the superstar that he is.

Now Jin is about to release his own solo album. The others had their own time while Jin was enlisted. They had their effing time! (Sorry if I sound angry because I am.) When they enlisted, many fans also left and were on hiatus. Those who stayed are working to keep their biases relevant – holding streaming parties for their biases’ albums even while Super Tuna was newly released, spending huge amounts of money and time to defend a member’s reputation for a ‘scandal’ that has become more scandalous for being dragged for so long now and by giving the media and misanthropes more arsenal for hatred. (Don’t they realize that they are feeding their enemies’ ego by reacting? When will it end?  Of course, it is easier said than done. If it is Jin – heaven forbid – I would have done the same. So I get them.)

Admittedly, the fandom is divided and might have been dissipated. (There is no ot7!!! If there are, they are few and in-between.) So, what does it mean for Jin?

I truly admire the very hardworking Seokjin fanbases and Seokjin girlies who have been working their assess off to promote Jin – buying physicals, pre-saving songs, donating money, posting stickers and posters on the streets so more GPs around the world will know of his album and listen to his songs, and generally hyping anything and everything about him. Do I even have to ask for more from the company? Whether we like it or not, the company has favorites and they have not been subtle about it. Of course, it might have been something to do with the terms of their individual contracts. Only they know.

But Jin has been doubly working his ass off to promote himself, albeit in a subtle way. He starts off by promoting himself to the gp, joining gp-popular TV and YT shows, being an Olympic torchbearer, and attending the fashion show.  He knows his market; hence, the TV show appearances and HAPPY album events exclusive for Japan Jinland. He is very much aware of what makes his fans tick: the concept photos (blond Jin!!!!! Jin with guitar!!!!) are pandering to his fans, Run Jin episodes that make us all HAPPY, song collaborations with people from varied genres (rock Jin! pop Jin!). Jin is truly everywhere. I do not want to be in the shoes of his haters right now.

But I honestly do not care about them.

I am on a Jin-lockdown so nothing and no one can distract me from supporting my man. We have been waiting for all of these exclusive Jin contents for years, so nothing, absolutely NOTHING and NO ONE can burst our bubble of HAPPYness. Most importantly, Jin is very, very HAPPY with everything that he is doing. What better way to make him HAPPY-ier than to make sure that his songs and his album gain the greatest achievement and make everyone HAPPY.

So, on October 25, Friday, 2PM KST, I’ll be there and will be HAPPY from then on.

What about you?

[cathy-gabby]

Missing Jin Pt.2

September 8, 2024

Much has happened since June 13, 2024. The entire fandom and the general public, both Korean and international, have been talking non-stop about THE Kim Seokjin. From his discharge to the live broadcast to the meet and greet; from the Olympics torch bearing event to the FRED, GUCCI, and Visit Seoul campaigns; from the Run Jin episodes to the Korean and Japanese variety shows, and now the Netflix program – everyone is gushing about him. Almost everyday there is content about him, from him, and for him. I and the rest of the Seokjin stans are so well fed since his discharge.

Yet these seem not to be enough.

His fans are restless nowadays – the contents are not enough. Seokjin girlies are asking for updates FROM him – a live broadcast, maybe? An album update? Song snippet? Weverse post? Photo of his toe? ANYTHING. Just a real time update from him will satisfy these curious and insatiable Jin appetites.

Well, I am one of those girls.

From the moment I wake up to the time I lie down for sleep, I hopelessly crawl through social media, waiting for an update from him. A single update is not even enough. I want MORE OF HIM. But the more I read posts from people wanting the same (countdowns, in fact, are now being made since the day he has gone “missing”), I came to the realization that maybe we are too demanding? He has given us soooo much content – the guy has been filming nonstop since discharge our 2025 content is now even secured. That is on top of his album preparation, performance practices maybe, and upcoming BA activities. So for him to be “quiet and missing” is expected and understandable. To say that he is busy is a HUGE understatement. And for us to demand more of him is a disrespect to the time, creativity, and effort he has given for all the contents laid down for us now.

Checking into the timeline of his social media posts, he was very active during June and July when his contents were STILL being made.  Since Run Jin started, he has stopped posting. It might be because of the Suga thing. Maybe there are other reasons. But I choose to believe that since he has contents EVERY WEEK, he is by no means obligated to post regularly. He will post when he feels like it and when the time is right.

Of course, hype and support from the company and the so-called OT7 fans would have been huge. After all, he is the only ACTIVE member nowadays. As it is, Jin only has himself, his well-meaning industry friends, and active SJ fanbases to prop him up. But that is a post for another day.

For now, I would still continue checking for Jin updates every minute. I do not want to miss out on the KSJ1 announcement, or the next w-live, or just about anything Jin.

[cathy-gabby]

No More Dream

March 22, 2024

Boybands are essential members of the music industry. For a time, they would become trendy and come a dime a dozen; other times, one boyband defines a generation – from the Beatles to the Backstreet Boys. The music lives on for generations but sadly, boybands come and go. When one member becomes too greedy and decides he is too famous to be just a member of a group; or when a member thinks he could be more than just a back-up singer with a few lines and very limited screentime and tries his luck as a solo artist – the band disintegrates and nothing is ever the same.

The globally phenomenal business that is kpop thrives because it follows a time-tested formula. Personalities come first; music comes second. The center member gets most of the lines and screentime; all the other members have to prop him/her up, whether they like it or not. They all have distinct roles to play to make the fans happy regardless of their own preferences. The music is generally crappy – sometimes a HIT but mostly a MISS - but the stage performances are insane; the stage antics and fan services are cringey at best and bordering on abuse at worse but the fans are happy; and the members play out their roles and personas to the hilt even if they are fictional versions of themselves.

Take for example the different personalities BTS members have projected on screen and on stage. (Intro: Persona by RM)

Jin is ONLY handsome; he is lazy; he only games a lot; he is a princess; he is a scaredy-cat.

JHope is another scaredy-cat; his only role in the group is to laugh a lot.

Suga is a genius; he is savage; he does not speak a lot but does not mince with his words.

RM is the leader; he has a very high IQ; he is a great lyricist; he is the muscle guy; he is a workout junkie.

V is cute; he has his own world; he always checks the vibe.

Jimin is CUTIE. SEXY. LOVELY.

JK is the ultimate muscle guy; he is an adrenaline junkie; he is very competitive; he is manhood personified.

For years, members play out their roles as best they can but since they are only portraying a make-believe persona, cracks appear here and there and they unwittingly show bits and pieces of their real selves. How many times have we seen Jin show his highly calculating intelligent mind in all those Run BTS episodes; or of Suga being soft and kind while Jimin is being assertive and scary when angry. Sadly, business is business so the script and the roles remain; hence, staged personas are magnified to obscure these snippets. And the members do their part.

But the military – an entity all its own – bursts the rose-tinted bubble that shrouds the kpop members. In a snap, the makeup and the hairstyles are gone; the glitter and the glamour are matted by the reality that all men in Korea have to go through. Boys become men to defend the sovereignty of their country. There is no script, only reality. No More Dream.

And so Captain Korea Jin excels superiorly in the military. For someone who is supposed to be the lazy and cowardly princess, he advances in his military promotions like how he moves up in his game levels – with his physical and emotional strength, calculating strategy, highly intelligent mind, and deep empathy.

Jhope who was originally chosen to be BTS leader now commands an entire army of trainees – his leadership skills shine through. And it’s not a laughing matter.

V who seemed passively placid carves his own path in the Special Duty Team (SDT) of the Korean Army Military Police. His competitive self stands out and he is now truly in a world all his own.

Cutie sexy contemporary dancer Jimin is assigned in the artillery that “requires good knowledge in mathematics and physics, as well as good judgment.” And that is so sexy of him.

And of course there is RM.

Muscle guy slash workout junkie RM is in the military band.  Fans thought that his IG posts of himself exercising – sometimes half-nakedly sexy – were a prelude to what should be expected of him once he would enlist. But no. RM is a musician through and through. Whether he is in a state-of-the-art music studio or in the military field playing his saxiphone, his musical genius is serving.

And JK?

Ultimate muscle guy slash adrenaline junkie fiercely competitive Jungkook is in the kitchen. And he is very proud about it, he even posts it on weverse himself, confirming that he is cleaning and cooking in the military. Did I expect it? No. Am I surprised? No. Because JK has shown many times his domesticity – during Bon Voyage when he would do the laundry, during In the Soop when he would cook together with Jin, during his weverse lives when he would wash the plates, vacuum his place, wash and fold the laundry, and cook and share his recipes even in the wee hours of the morning. How many times has he opened his live only for his fans to watch him watch a youtube cooking tutorial? Did JK condition us for what he wanted to be while in the military? Maybe. Maybe not. But what is assuredly definite is that he is very happy with where he is right now. JK brings dignity and glamour to what would have been a thankless job (and butt of jokes for many). I am so proud and happy for him.

This, for me, is the real Chapter 2 of BTS. They have chosen, on their own, where they are most comfortable and the happiest. No script. Just serving.

People are complex; celebrities even more. Despite the hours and hours of footages in different platforms, whether staged or personal, we are only shown a glimpse of the complexity of their lives. We are only spectators, but hopefully without the rose-tinted glasses, so that we can truly see what THEY (not the company) want us to see.

PS. Yoongi is still Yoongi - off the grid but surely making wondrous music.

[cathy-gabby]

SNTY in 5D

January 27, 2024

I have always wanted to write my own speculation as to why JK and Jimin are in the 5th division. However, much has been written about it and both shippers and solos have had their field days trying to persuade others to accept their claims and hurling expletives to those who believe otherwise. If only for that, I am thankful that Jin, JK, and Jimin are far away from all these hullaballo in the circus. And I hope that they all are having a great time experiencing all these new things. I have always believed that JK would be with Jin during this military enlistment season. Even prior to enlistment, when the ax was still hanging on their heads (to enlist or not to enlist, to be exempted or not), especially on Jin’s, I always thought that Jinkook or all of them would enlist together.  When Jin’s enlistment was announced, I had hoped that JK would soon enlist, too. There were speculations that they would all enlist by age but I never believed them. I held on to what RM said that Jinkook could not live without each other.   True enough, JK was MIA during Jin’s 5-week basic training when no phones were allowed the entire time. In February 2023, when Jin finally graduated and given limited access to phone calls and phone usage, JK appeared for the first time and showed the world his vulnerability.   During those first few months, he would regularly appear on Weverse live, mostly in the middle of the night or early morning, sometimes drunk, other times sleepy and hungry, but mostly professing his undying love for Army, how he missed them so much because he had nothing else to do, no schedule, no activity. One has to read between and beyond the lines to know what was going on with him – sleeping for an entire day, not going out, not doing anything. Sounds like what Jin went through during BE promotions – losing appetite, not finding anything fun, and just sleeping for an entire day.  

Of course, fans were worried and claimed that the man was so used to a structured schedule and constant companionship of the other members that he was struggling with this new normal for them. Still, others were a little on track by saying that he missed his hyung so much, the member who took care of him since his early teenage years; that is why he was depressed.

Of course, the giant elephant in the room was not discussed: If he was in a committed relationship with anyone of his ships, why was he so depressed and inconsolable? Why was he losing himself for all the world to see, almost to the verge of self-destruction?

 When people say that we should believe only what the members say themselves and not the opinions of anyone, I personally feel that things are said and done for a calculated reason, whether to promote the album or the ship, to stir controversy, or to cover up something. No, I am not saying that they are liars or that they lie purposely – the truth is just masked or hidden between the lines. Besides, how many times has Jin been caught with his outrageous stories, all for the sake of fun? Just like how anyone who says they are okay does not necessarily mean that they are fully ok. So when members say something, I take it with a grain of salt. They are under contract, ffs, and live in a very homophobic country. Members are not free to just say anything they want, to reveal their relationships, nor to announce to the whole world their sexuality and preferences. Everyone should have known that.  

We also know that they are CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGED to release albums and participate in promotions, regardless of their emotional or mental well-being, BEFORE they could enlist (with the exception of Jin). So JK bending over backwards to accommodate all schedules and flights, jet-setting across continents and timezones without rest, singing and dancing until he is blue in the face, is him fulfilling his contract so he could enlist as soon as he can. Despite that, he still was able to film contents with Jimin for their upcoming documentary and continue having fun with Tae on social media (hello naked baldie taekook!).

But Jinkookers know that fate has always been on the side of JinKook.

Native Koreans would say that December is not a popular time to get enlisted because of the harsh winters in Korea (might be the very reason why Jin would only want to experience one winter in the military by hopefully enlisting in spring, but people and circumstances were not on his side that time). For the military to implement the companion soldier for December recruitment is their way of inviting more recruits at this time. Besides, the military being a separate entity with its own set of laws and regulations is perceived as a difficult experience for everyone; hence, a companion – brother, friend, neighbor – in the military would make the enlistment more bearable, and maybe memorable. And as an added benefit, companion soldiers are free to apply in the training center of their choice.  

This w-live was in September when the recruitment might have already been completed and Jin and JK already knew that he would be going to the 5th division.  

And hints were boldly and loudly announced.

The 5th Division is not the only division that accepts companion soldiers. It is a frontline division located in the coldest area in SK.

  JHope’s division also accepts companion soldiers and is much closer to Seoul. But V did not avail of the companion soldier because he has to train in Nonsan to apply for the special forces later. (Of course, shippers claimed that when you love someone, you will not stop them from achieving their dreams. Me talking to myself: If you love someone, you will want to be together in experiencing new things.) RM also did not apply for reasons known only to him. JK and Jimin as both coming from Busan and are members of the same group can and did apply as companion soldiers in the 5th division out of the many that are available for them. (Of course, shippers would say that they could not live without each other, and the company needs Jin to keep them in line. And they have to be so far from everyone so they could do whatever they want. Me talking to myself: Can’t JHope do that? Have they also forgotten that homosexuality is considered as a crime in SK and enlisters will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law when caught?) But of course, the 5th division has the most successful recent enlister: yeobo.  

I remember JK singing To Find You twice on his w-live in the middle of the day. That might be him telling everyone that he would find his way to be with Jin. And he did. Marvelously.  

So why Jimin?

 

 

Jimin has always been very vocal in his fondness for Jungkook.

 

Among all members, JK and V are closer in age and the fanservice in the early days were more of them playing and hopping around like little evil twin brothers. However, whether doing fanservice or just interacting, JK was more comfortable with Jimin than he was with Tae, even until now. It would not be surprising if he requested Jimin to join him as companion soldier so they could apply in the 5th division. JK is naturally close to all members; in fact, anyone among V, RM, and Jimin could have accompanied him.  But I have written this before: aside from JK, Jimin was the other member who seemed to be deeply affected by Jin’s absence. During the first few months of Jin’s enlistment, he would always mention him in his lives, played The Astronaut, and has never changed his profile pic even until now. I have always felt that Jimin has always looked up to Jin as an older brother. If he treats JK with fondness, he adores Jin with all his heart.

Jimin loves Jin; he loves JK, too. And JinKook loves Jimin. He has made it possible for JK to stand next to Jin seven days a week in 5D. After all, Jimin is a Jinkooker just like the rest of the members, just like the rest of us.  

As a Jinkooker, I am grateful to Jimin. Saranghamnida, Jimin-ah!            

[cathy-gabby]

Jin's Friends

January 11, 2024

Yesterday, the last episode of the BTS Documentary Beyond the Star was shown. I haven't yet watched the last 4 episodes but one of the clips uploaded on twt showed Jin hanging out with his childhood friends. Some assumed that they may also be the same friends whom he mentioned during his 2022 birthday live as playing games in the other room.

Watching the clips made me emotionally happy. Jin is infamous for talking a lot without sharing anything. In fact, out of the seven, he is the loudest yet the most private. He shares a lot of information but we really do not know anything about his personal life. So having his friends participate in a documentary, hang out with him with a camera in tow, means so much to everyone who loves Jin. This is a glimpse into the kind of life he has beyond the spotlight, showing himself as Kim Seokjin and not as Jin of BTS. The mere fact that he has remained friends with these people even after becoming a worldwide star goes to show that he has remained grounded, that he essentially might still be the same Seokjin that they know, or even a better version of his former self.

What amazes me even more is that for more than a decade or so of their friendship, no one has heard or read of these people flexing their connection for attention. They have never used him for clout. As Jin himself said, having this kind of friendship is rare in the industry that he is in. Many celebrities lost their old friends because they both could not handle the fame and the pressure. They gained new fleeting ones but most are purely transactional and even parasitic in nature. So for Jin to reveal his friends to the public for the first time and for his friends to agree to it, is such a huge deal, indeed - something unexpected for an introvert who values his privacy and his friends too much.

Some fans, however, are in a frenzy and could not accept that Jin has a life outside of BTS, away from the imagined relationships that they have created in their heads. Yes, BTS are very close friends who have experienced and done everything together as a group but they are also very distinct individuals, who have different interests and different friends. And this Chapter 2 has shown us the kind of persons that they are away from their company-prescribed personas. We are shown glimpses of the life they lead away from the members and not as BTS members.

But Jin's unique situation of being recruited by BigHit when he was 19 and debuted as a BTS member when he was 21 (3 months older than the next member, 2 years older than the leader, and 5 years older than the youngest) sets him apart from all the rest. Among the seven and especially compared to JK, Jin had spent his entire childhood and most of his adolescence as an ordinary individual, dealing and basking in normal experiences. He had a complete life before BTS, he is living a balanced life now, and I daresay he would have a fulfilling life after BTS. And he has friends (and family) who will stay with him along the way.