Sign T-shirt 48,000 won... BTS Jimin's Father Controversy vs Fans "No"

Running a Cafe Draws Netizens' Attention with Various Souvenirs and Events
T-Shirts Featuring Father's Signature Sold for About 48,000 Won
Fans Refute Claims, Saying They Asked for Autographs and Liked the Artwork

BTS Jimin. Photo by Big Hit Music

Jimin's father, a member of the group BTS, has been embroiled in controversy over allegedly engaging in excessive commercial activities using Jimin's name. On the 16th, Park, Jimin's father who runs a cafe, became a hot topic on various online communities. Park currently operates a cafe located in Nam-gu, Busan. As the cafe is owned by the parent of a global star, many fans visit the place.

Park is known to receive a lot of love thanks to his son Jimin's popularity. Visitors to the cafe have witnessed fans lining up to get his autograph.

Park's cafe also produces and sells its own merchandise. The product list includes various items such as portable fans, T-shirts, hats, and tumblers. The issue arose with a product called the "Papa Sign T-shirt." As the product name suggests, it is a short-sleeved T-shirt featuring Park's autograph, Jimin's father, priced at approximately 48,000 KRW. Park was also scheduled to attend an event commemorating the opening of a store in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, on the 11th. However, the cafe canceled the event citing Park's personal circumstances.

In response, BTS fans claim that the facts are different. They argue that the autographs were requested by fans from overseas and that the souvenirs such as the T-shirts were produced at the fans' request. They also emphasize that since there are exhibitions and donation activities, it is far from being commercial.