BTS’ maknae, Jungkook, has been on a roll since releasing his album ‘Seven’ which climbed the charts worldwide. However, a new controversy has arisen out of his personal life. This is one of the rare times a BTS member is caught in a hot potato.
Recently, a leaked video of Jungkook shows him smoking. It was taken during the singer’s Los Angeles, US, visit. In the images and videos that have emerged, Jungkook can be seen styled in a relaxed black t-shirt while smoking and having a casual conversation with an acquaintance.
It didn’t take long for the video and images to go viral, and the resulting discourse has divided the army. On the one hand, any fans who have watched his videos since BTS debut and still perceive him as a kid are upset over his smoking.
On the other hand, mature fans are defending Jungkook by saying that he is an adult and smoking is his personal decision, which fans don’t get to have a say in.
The video was shot without the singer’s consent and posted on the Internet and shows moments out of his personal life. So, it is only right that people uphold his decisions. It might be hard to admit, but he is not little Bunny Jungkook anymore and has become an adult who can make independent decisions.
Army is mainly worried due to the health concerns that smoking can cause, but Jungkook, as an adult, must have known the pros and cons before taking up the habit. Thus, online criticism will not affect his decision-making, and fans can’t expect him to always stay under their umbrella and make every decision after considering them.
No one is saying smoking is good, but at the same time, it’s not anyone’s decision other than the singer’s.
After the images were leaked and the hostile behavior of fans came out, netizens who are not BTS or K-pop fans are questioning why it is such a crazy thing to acknowledge that an idol smokes.
In the K-pop industry, idols are often tied down to an impeccable image that they cannot even date anyone, as it causes violent outbursts from fans. Many idols whose love lives or other personal aspects get leaked are shunned from their career. The same is the case with fans reacting adversely to Jungook’s smoking habits.
While Hollywood celebs are often caught doing drugs and can still move on with their lives, in Korea, it is a career-ending move that can get you jail time along with immense national hatred.
As smoking isn’t illegal, and he is not harming anyone in the process, there should logically be no backlash, but the harsh K-pop industry and the sheltered fans can’t help but criticize Jungkook.
Hybe, BTS’ company, is yet to make a comment on the issue, and we don’t know if Jungkook will be restrained from public smoking as an after-effect.
Professionally, the singer is making waves in the international music scene. Apart from his brilliant performance in BTS, his latest single, Seven, debuted atop the Billboard 100 in the USA. It set new records in numerous countries and is still making rounds on Instagram reels.
The singer’s vocals and performance have been widely praised. Fans have praised him for his first solo single. Jungkook has created his personal statement via Seven.
So, what are your views on the leaked images of Jungkook smoking? Tell us in the comments below.
1 Comment
What anyone does on their personal time is their business. People who feel they have a say in it need to mind their own or else risk having the same microscope turned on them.