BTS Jin's Discharge Celebration '2024 Festa' Hug Event
Most Fans Showed Good Manners... But Some Fans Drew Frowns
Kissing Cheeks, Neck Hugs... ARMY's 'Anger'
Group BTS member Jin held an offline fan meeting to celebrate his military discharge, hugging 1,000 fans, but some fans attempted sexual harassment, causing controversy.
Fans with no sense trying to kiss or hug Jin at the first part of the '2024 FESTA' Hug Event. [Photo by X]
On the 13th, Jin attended the '2024 FESTA' held around Songpa-gu, Seoul. The first part was a 'hug event' where Jin hugged 1,000 fans to commemorate his discharge. Participants in the hug event were selected by lottery from BTS Weverse membership subscribers who purchased Jin's solo single 'The Astronaut' or BTS's 'Proof,' and the event was held privately.
The problem occurred during the hug event. Jin wore a sign around his neck that said "Hug me" and met fans, hugging them one by one. When a male fan appeared among numerous female fans, Jin said, "Feel free to come in," and gave him a warm hug. Most fans followed the order well, and even in the brief moments of hugging, warm scenes unfolded with fans offering kind words to Jin. However, some fans' selfish behavior, such as kissing Jin on the cheek or attempting to kiss him, caused disapproval.
Videos posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) show female fan A trying to kiss Jin on the cheek, but Jin quickly dodges. In another video, female fan B wraps her arms around Jin's neck and kisses his cheek. Jin seemed momentarily embarrassed while hugging these fans but immediately approached the next fan with a smile and hugged them.
Netizens who saw the videos reacted with comments such as, "If you're a fan, you should consider Jin's position," "I don't think they are real fans," "They should be identified and sued," "It's amazing they tried to kiss in such a short time," "Is that really something a fan would do?" "This is clear sexual harassment," and "If I were Jin, I would have felt really ashamed."
The global ARMY also expressed anger over the incident. They criticized, saying, "Is such rudeness tolerated in Korea?" "How dare they sexually harass Jin," "It's painful that I can't attend the fan meeting because I live in another country, but thinking about Jin suffering makes it even harder," and "Don't touch Jin's body carelessly."
Meanwhile, BTS member Jin enlisted in December 2022 and was honorably discharged from active duty in the army on the 12th. Jin showed passion by participating in an official event meeting fans the day after his discharge, moving fans. After the event, Jin shared his heartfelt thoughts, saying, "It was more fun and exciting than I thought," and "If I had multiple bodies, I could have hugged more people in one day, but I could only hug 1,000 today, so I feel a bit regretful. I hope to do it once more before I die."
Besides Jin, BTS members currently fulfilling their military service obligations are J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Suga is serving as a social service worker.
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