JEON JAEKYUNG

Jaekyung trails behind, his hood drawn low and a mask covering most of his face. His eyes roam the room, taking in the details; leather-bound benches, polished floors, and walls lined with championship belts in glass cases. Exclusive didn’t begin to cover it; this wasn’t a place for the average gym-goer or the curious public. Here, there were no prying eyes, no cameras, no fans lying in wait. It was a sanctuary, or at least it was supposed to be.

Still, the whispers started before he even crossed the training zone.

“Is that...?”

“That idol kid, right? From BTS?”

“Yeah, the youngest one.”

“What’s he doing here? Hobby? Maybe swapping arenas?”

A few muffled chuckles follow, the kind meant to sting. Jaekyung doesn’t flinch. He had long since learned to ignore the weight of a room trying to pin him down. Wonhyuk shoots him an apologetic look, the kind that says sorry, but you knew this might happen.

In truth, Jaekyung hadn’t come here to be noticed. He hadn’t come here to win approval, to make friends, or to hear his name whispered in awe or ridicule. He’d come to feel something—anything—that wasn’t the crushing monotony of perfection.

His therapist had been the one to plant the seed. Try something different, she’d said. Something for yourself, not the cameras. Boxing had always intrigued him; the movement, the discipline, the escape. He’d never had the time before, but now? Now he’d carve it out.

With a deep breath, Jaekyung follows Wonhyuk deeper into the gym. He wasn’t here to prove a point. He was here to reclaim a part of himself, to feel grounded in a world that constantly tried to lift him too high. The gym wasn’t a stage, and the punches he’d throw wouldn’t need to impress anyone. This was about something simpler, rawer. A chance to strip away the layers of expectation and reconnect with something real.

For once, he wasn’t an idol, a face, or a name. He was just Jaekyung, a young man seeking solace in the rhythm of his fists and the sting of sweat on his skin. This, he thought, could finally be something that belonged to him alone.

As they approached a heavy steel door, Jaekyung watched Wonhyuk rap his knuckles against it before cracking it open just enough to lean inside. His words were barely audible, swallowed by the pounding bass of music reverberating through the gym and the sharp grunts of boxers driving themselves to their limits.

Seconds later, Wonhyuk pulls back with a small smile, pushing the door open wider and gesturing for Jaekyung to step inside. The maknae hesitates briefly, his shoulders tight as he crosses the threshold. His gaze was immediately drawn to the heart of the room; a boxing ring illuminated under harsh overhead lights, where two young fighters, likely no older than himself, clashed with vigorous intensity. Their punches were unrelenting, each one thrown with brute force, as though this weren’t a practice ring in a boxing gym but rather a championship in and of itself.

Jaekyung wonders whether with enough practice, he may be able to throw a punch with the same force one day in the near future.

The thought lingers as he follows Wonhyuk closer towards the edges of the boxing ring where the older nods towards the fighters. “That’s Suho and Hyunwoo,” he says, his voice barely audible over the noise. “They’ve been at it for months—Hyunwoo’s aiming for nationals, and Suho is his sparring partner. Intense, right?”

Jaekyung didn’t answer right away, his sharp gaze fixated on the fighters. They moved with precision, their feet gliding across the canvas as though they were part of the mat and not standing on it; light, airy, and yet so purposeful. Every shift in weight, every pivot, spoke of countless hours spent honing their craft, their bodies moving as naturally as breathing. Just like Jaekyung would move when he danced.

It was like watching a dance between the two fighters—that was it, at least until a commanding voice, rich and deep, cut through the noise, calling an end to the sparring session. The sound jolts Jaekyung from his trance, his focus snapping away from the fighters. He blinks, his gaze shifting to the source of the order—a figure standing just outside the ring, behind the ropes, arms crossed with an air of quiet authority.

The man gives a measured clap as the two boxers approach him, their postures instinctively respectful.

Jaekyung’s brows draw together in subtle confusion. How had he missed him? The man’s presence was magnetic, impossible to ignore, yet somehow he had.

Wonhyuk leaned in slightly, his eyes flicking toward Jaekyung before he could even ask. “Oh, right. That’s Lee Jiwon. Two—”

“Two-division world champion, youngest Korean boxer ever to win a title at 17. His record’s 23-2, with 20 of those wins by knockout,” Jaekyung interjected smoothly, his gaze unwavering from the man. He hadn’t noticed him at first, but he certainly knew who Lee Jiwon was. The statistics, the accolades, they were hard to miss.

Wonhyuk’s expression shifts into one of silent admiration, his nod slow as he watches Jaekyung’s attention remain on Lee Jiwon. The man was speaking earnestly to the two younger fighters, who listened intently, their body language a mix of respect and focus. Jaekyung couldn’t quite place their relationship—students, protégés, or something else—but it was clear that Jiwon’s words held weight with them.

It wasn’t until the two fighters began making their way toward the changing rooms that Wonhyuk’s hand landed firmly on Jaekyung’s shoulder, tugging him forward. The movement was deliberate, guiding him closer to where Lee Jiwon stood now, casually sipping from a water bottle he’d had set aside on the floor. Jaekyung’s eyes widened, uncertainty creeping into his chest.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to meet Jiwon. He’d followed the man’s career since the early days, admiring his rise to the top. But there was something undeniably intimidating about Jiwon’s presence, an unpredictable aura that made Jaekyung hesitate. He wasn’t sure if this was the right time for an introduction. They were here to meet Jaekyung’s potential new coach, not to interrupt a champion in his element.

“Jiwon-ah, look who it is! How’s the coaching been going?” Wonhyuk called out with a lazy wave, his other hand still pulling Jaekyung along behind him.

At the sound of footsteps, sharp eyes, dark and focused, flicked toward them. Lee Jiwon finished his water in one swift motion before effortlessly hopping down from the ring and landing onto the gym floor, his movements fluid and confident. He stares at Wonhyuk for a moment before his gaze shifts to Jaekyung, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studies the younger man with curiosity. The question came out easily. “Who’s this?”

Jaekyung’s throat tightens at the sound of his voice, but he doesn’t meet Jiwon’s gaze. Instead, he focuses on the ground, grinding his teeth in an attempt to steady his nerves as the weight of the champion’s presence settles heavily upon him. He felt just like he did when he was starting out as a trainee in Bighit all those years ago—unable, anxious, afraid.

Wonhyuk casts a quick glance at Jaekyung, reading the tension in his stiff shoulders and averted gaze. He knew that reaction all too well—Jiwon had a way of unnerving people upon first meeting him. With a small, reassuring smile, he stepped in to ease the tension.

“This is Jeon Jaekyung,” he said, his tone light but deliberate, as if the name alone carried enough weight to bridge the moment. “You know BTS, don’t you? The internationally renowned idol group? This is their maknae.”

And with a playful edge, he gives Jaekyung a gentle push forward.

His hands settle firmly on Jaekyung’s broad shoulders as he leans around him with a grin, the gesture equal parts supportive and teasing. Nudging him again, Wonhyuk silently urges him to speak.

Jaekyung hesitates, but finally lifts his gaze, meeting Jiwon’s eyes. For a moment, the world seemed to still. Those dark, unyielding eyes bore into his own, searching with a quiet, almost cryptic interest. Jiwon said nothing, simply waiting, his expression a mask of unreadable patience. Jaekyung swallows hard, only then realising that he and Jiwon were practically equals in height. The thought flickered through his mind but didn’t linger, eclipsed by the weight of the moment.

Without hesitation this time, he dips into a full 90-degree bow, holding the position just long enough to feel the stretch in his back. “I’m Jeon Jaekyung! It’s an honor to meet you, Lee Jiwon-ssi,” he announced, his voice a touch louder than intended.

As he straightened, he fought to steady his breathing, his posture stiff but earnest under the champion’s gaze. Jiwon tilts his head slightly, as though turning over a thought in his mind before speaking. “Jeon Jaekyung… you’re an idol, aren’t you? You make music. So, what brings you to a boxing gym?”

“Well, he—” Wonhyuk started to interject, but Jiwon silences him with a single raised finger, his expression firm, lips pressed into a thin line.

“I wasn’t asking you,” Jiwon said evenly, his gaze never leaving Jaekyung. “I want to hear it from him.”

The way Jiwon was able to commandeer a man into silence with the single raise of a finger sent goosebumps along Jaekyung’s skin. This man really was intense.

With a breath, hands curling into fists at his sides, Jaekyung’s gaze flickers to the floor before returning to meet Jiwon’s.

“I…” He pauses, forcing himself to steady his voice. “I wanted to try something different. Something real. Music has always been my life, but lately… it feels like it’s controlling me instead of the other way around.”

He pauses again, unsure if he was making sense, but pressed on. “I’ve been watching your matches for years. The way you fight, the discipline, the focus… it’s inspiring. I thought maybe boxing could help me find that same kind of balance.”

For a moment, Jiwon said nothing, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched long enough for Jaekyung to feel the heat rising to his face. Had he said too much? Too little?

Finally, Jiwon’s lips twitched, almost imperceptibly, as if suppressing a smile. “Balance, huh?” he repeated, his tone neutral but his eyes holding a flicker of interest. “And you think you’ll find that in a gym full of people who fight for a living?”

Jaekyung straightened his shoulders slightly, feeling the need to defend his answer. “I’m willing to work for it. Whatever it takes.”

Jiwon’s eyes linger on Jaekyung for a moment longer before shifting to Wonhyuk, who looked almost as tense as Jaekyung himself. Without a word, the champion turns on his heel, casually unbuttoning his loose white top as he strides toward the punching bag.

Jaekyung’s shoulders sink, disappointment creeping in. Maybe his answer hadn’t been enough. Maybe Jiwon didn’t see the point in wasting time on someone like him.

But then, as Jiwon reached the bag, his voice cut through the air, calm and decisive. “Wonhyuk, give the kid my number. I’ll coach him myself.”

Jaekyung’s eyes widen, his breath catching in his throat. For a second, he wasn’t sure he’d heard right, but the subtle smirk playing on Wonhyuk’s lips told him otherwise.

Soon, the words sink in slowly as disbelief gives way to a flicker of excitement. For the first time in what felt like forever, a spark lit in Jaekyung’s eyes. He dips into a deep bow, then another, his movements quick and erratic, unable to control himself.

“Thank you—thank you so much!” he exclaims, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. Straightening up, his expression was resolute, his fists clenching at his sides. “I promise, you won’t regret this.”

From where he stood, Jaekyung could have sworn he caught the faintest curve of a smile on Jiwon’s lips—a fleeting, almost imperceptible gesture. The champion shrugged off his top, letting it fall carelessly to the floor, revealing a lean, sculpted frame carved from years of discipline and relentless training.

“We’ll see, jitters.”

Yoongi chuckles as he eyes the bowl in Jimin’s hands. “Oh wow, it actually covers your whole face.” Jimin blushes instantly. “Hyung~ don’t say that,” he mumbles, ducking his head. Meanwhile, Jaekyung picks up his own bowl, attempting to cover his face only to realise it barely hides his mouth. “Eh? What about me?” he whines. “My face is way too big for this thing. Jeongguk bursts out laughing and reaches over, gently pressing his bowl to Jaekyung’s face. “Jaekyungie needs two bowls just to stand a chance,” he teases, sending the group into fits of giggles.

Yoongi claps his hands together. “First up: J-Hope’s two forbidden words. How about the six of you come up and pick them for him?” Jimin grins and counters, “Or why don’t we have the other team decide instead?” Yoongi shakes his head with a smile. “No teams. This one’s all individual.”

Hoseok crosses his arms with a playful smirk. “We’re not teammates anymore,” he declares. “So don’t expect mercy.” Jaekyung chuckles, clearly enjoying the shift in dynamics, as the boys huddle up to plot Hoseok’s downfall—or at least his forbidden words. “It’s two each, yeah?” Jimin says, grabbing the pen with eager determination. Namjoon leans in, lowering his voice like they’re planning a secret mission. “He says ‘right’ all the time, doesn’t he?”

Jaekyung leans in with mischief swirling in his eyes. “Okay, hear me out… what if we pick ‘hahaha’?” he suggests, grinning slyly. Jimin bursts into laughter, loving the idea. Jin nods in agreement. “Let’s lock in ‘uh’ and ‘hahaha,’” he says confidently. Jimin scribbles them down with a satisfied smirk. Hoseok watches the plotting unfold with a nervous laugh. “Guys, let’s at least pretend to be nice,” he pleads, hands raised in surrender. With Hoseok’s trigger words locked in, the group shifts gears until finally it’s Jaekyung’s turn on the chopping block.

Jaekyung watches his hyungs huddled together, snickering like they’ve struck gold. “Wah… look at them. They’re thriving right now,” he says, half amused, half betrayed. Namjoon taps his chin with mock seriousness. “He’s always saying ‘ah’—it’s his signature opening line.” “Like, ‘Ah, but hyung...’ or ‘Ah, no that’s not it,’” he mimics, earning murmurs of agreement from the others, their eyes gleaming with mischief.

Jin leans over the table, pen poised. “What else does he always say?” he asks, scanning the group. Jimin pipes up, smirking. “He’s the maknae, right? He says ‘hyung’ practically every other sentence.” Hoseok chuckles, a flicker of guilt on his face. “So we’re weaponizing his politeness now. Great. I officially feel terrible.” Still, Jin scribbles down the final two words as the boys snicker among themselves, the trap now fully set.

With everyone’s forbidden words finally locked in, the boys return to their seats, buzzing with anticipation. Yoongi steps forward. “Alright, show of hands. Who here actually likes mint chocolate?” Hoseok and Jeongguk raise their hands without hesitation. Jaekyung, seated beside Jeongguk, recoils dramatically as if personally betrayed. His face twists into a grimace, and he inches away with exaggerated caution. “Mint chocolate lovers, huh?” he mutters, clearly horrified.

Namjoon nods thoughtfully. “Jaekyung’s got the right reaction,” he says, eyeing the disgust still plastered on the maknae’s face. “But seriously, only two mint chocolate fans?” Jimin tilts his head, unsure. “I’m kind of in-between,” he admits. “I hate it with every fibre of my being,” Jaekyung declares, arms crossed like he’s preparing for battle. Taehyung shrugs calmly. “I feel nothing. No love, no hate. Just… neutrality.”

In the end, Hoseok and Jeongguk side with liking mint chocolate while the rest of the members side with disliking mint chocolate. They’re sat in their respective teams on opposite sides of the room.

Yoongi steps forward like a seasoned moderator. “Alright, let the debate begin. Team mint chocolate lovers, you're up first,” he announces, motioning for them to start. Hoseok stands proudly. “Okay, listen. I absolutely love mint chocolate,” he begins, brimming with enthusiasm. Namjoon rolls his eyes. “Yeah, we’ve noticed,” he mutters. Jaekyung, never missing a beat, echoes, “We know, trust me.” Undeterred, Hoseok continues with a laugh. “No, but I really love—” PSSSHHHHT! A stream of water hits him mid-sentence, making him jump back in his seat, wide-eyed and drenched. Laughter explodes around the room. Jaekyung grins, pointing smugly. “I told you I’m a genius.”

Hoseok, still damp but determined, presses on. “Mint chocolate is refreshing like brushing your teeth, but tastier.” Jeongguk jumps in, eager to add his take. “Uh, hold on—” PSSSH! He gets blasted mid-thought, blinking in surprise. “Wait… hold on,” he repeats cautiously, scanning for verbal landmines. Nothing. “Uh?” he says again, testing the waters. PSSSH! Another spray hits him square in the face. The room erupts with laughter as Jeongguk sputters, finally realising his forbidden word.

Jeongguk lifts his hands in surrender. “Listen, please,” he says after catching on to one of his forbidden words. “There are people who genuinely like mint chocolate,” he continues. “If you remove it completely, what happens to those folks? Shouldn’t they get a choice?” Jin jumps in, brow raised. “Why are you asking someone who hates it?” Jaekyung and Jimin burst out laughing, amused by the clash in logic. Jeongguk presses on. “I’m not asking for approval. I’m asking for a solution. If it exists on the shelf, then those who want it can buy it. Simple as that.”

“Mint chocolate shouldn’t even exist,” Namjoon says with conviction. “Exactly,” Jaekyung agrees, then clears his throat, ready to dismantle Jeongguk’s defense. “If you’re that into mint chocolate, just toss some toothpaste into chocolate ice cream and call it a day. There’s your cursed dessert, freshly made.”

“Ooh, I see your point,” Yoongi nods, catching onto Jaekyung’s logic. Laughter erupts around the room as the members smack their desks, totally vibing with the comeback. “Jaekyung’s got a point,” Seokjin says, grinning. “If you’re that into the taste, you’d probably chase it down yourself.”

“That’s a bit of a reach,” Hoseok says flatly. “Mint chocolate isn’t just toothpaste and chocolate thrown together,” Jeongguk retorts. “It’s made through an actual, refined process. What you’re suggesting would be straight-up inedible.” “I’m with Jeongguk on this one,” Hoseok adds. “If mint chocolate’s available, no one’s forcing you to eat it. But why should we have to make ours from scratch while you just stroll into the store for yours?”

“That’s true. No need to criticise them,” Yoongi remarks, slipping back over to the rival team. “You can take this one, hyung,” Jaekyung offers cheerfully, just moments before a splash of water hits him square on. He jerks backward, eyes wide with surprise. “Huh? What did I even say?” The other members erupt in laughter, the forbidden words nearly forgotten in the chaos. Jaekyung hesitates, side-eyes the staff member holding the water sprayer. “Hyung?” he tries again, voice cautious, and then quickly snatches up his plastic bowl to use as a shield as another splash of water comes his way.

“Aish… this is how you repay me for being raised with manners?” the maknae grumbles, visibly wounded. Seokjin chuckles through his tears, giving the youngest a comforting pat on the shoulder. “Alright, alright, let’s move on,” Yoongi says, reigning in the moment. Seokjin clears his throat dramatically. “First off, mint chocolate? It tastes like regret.” Namjoon nods solemnly, barely audible. “Exactly.”

“No, but—” he's mid-sentence when a burst of water flies past him, landing harmlessly. Jaekyung bursts into laughter, smacking the table over and over. “Yah, you nailed me and missed him?” he says, jabbing a finger toward Jin. “That aim needs some serious work,” Hoseok mutters with a disapproving tsk. But the eldest presses on, unfazed, continuing his argument as if nothing happened.

“I’m with Jaekyung on this,” he says confidently. “Mint chocolate? Just mix ice cream and toothpaste. No need to waste the good stuff. Plus, toothpaste is technically edible.” The maknae grins and gives him a triumphant high five. Namjoon steps up next, striking a thoughtful pose. “Now, let’s explore the true nature of mint chocolate. It tastes exactly like toothpaste, doesn’t it?” Seokjin and Jaekyung nod without hesitation. “Exactly,” they chorus.

“It’s basically toothpaste mixed in with something which people love and that is chocolate,” Namjoon declares with conviction. “Like brushing your teeth... while snacking on dessert.” He’s clearly fired up about the topic. Meanwhile, Jimin—quiet for a tad too long—gets doused with water, flinching as the game’s penalty kicks in.

“I’m with Namjoon hyung on this,” Taehyung chimes in. “Oh yeah? Which part exactly?” someone presses. “Well, we use toothpaste daily to clean our teeth… but eating ice cream that tastes like toothpaste every day?” He trails off in mock concern. “What flavour are we even talking about?” Yoongi chuckles from the sidelines. “I’ll hand it over to the other team now,”

“I just don’t think ice cream should be eaten that way,” Taehyung says, shaking his head. “Okay, but can we shorten the speeches?” Hoseok cuts in, half teasing. Jimin—still dripping from multiple water penalties—finally chimes in, “Let’s shift focus to the visuals… Most appetising foods tend to be red.” “Like spicy stir-fried pork,” Jaekyung jumps in enthusiastically. “Exactly! Or kimchi stew,” Jimin nods. “Those rich red tones practically scream delicious.”

“Unappetising foods are usually blue or green,” Jimin points out, continuing his critique. Seokjin turns to the blonde. “Then what colour’s mint chocolate?” “Definitely greenish,” comes the reply, earning a round of applause from Jaekyung, who nods in agreement. “Do we really need something that looks so uninviting? Is it even necessary?” Jimin wraps up his argument with flair, just as Yoongi shifts over to the opposing team.

“It tastes like toothpaste,” Hoseok says, pulling a face. “You're not supposed to eat toothpaste,” he adds. Jaekyung frowns. “But how’s it different?” “Mint chocolate is about the aroma. It’s minty, yeah, but that doesn’t mean it tastes like something you brush your teeth with. Comparing it to toothpaste doesn’t make sense. I mean, who actually eats toothpaste? I don’t eat toothpaste,” Hoseok insists. Jeongguk nods in agreement. “Seriously, who eats toothpaste?”

Jaekyung rises from his seat, hands casually tucked in his pockets. The room goes quiet. “I eat toothpaste,” he announces. Water drips from his hair—sprayed more than a few times in the heat of the debate—and he slicks it back like it's part of the performance. “Eh?” Hoseok stares, not sure if he heard right. The others lean in, curious. “When I was a kid,” Jaekyung explains, “I used to swallow toothpaste by accident while brushing. Eventually... it became a habit.” He gives a solemn nod, as if he’s just bared his soul to an audience. Members of Team Hate Mint Chocolate try to hide their snickers, ducking their heads or covering their faces.

Yoongi scoffs, amused, shaking his head with a grin as he gestures for Jaekyung to sit down. Giggles continue to ripple through his teammates. “Go on, Hoseok,” the teacher prompts. “Right,” Hoseok clears his throat. “Someone brought up colours and how certain ones are considered appetising… but honestly, that feels like a biased way of thinking.”

“For instance, spinach has such a vibrant, appetising colour, don’t you think?” Hoseok says, making his case. “I don’t like spinach,” Jimin replies flatly. “I hate spinach,” Jaekyung adds, clearly not swayed. The debate rolls on, circling through colour theory and personal taste, until it lands squarely back on toothpaste. “You brush your teeth, right?” Jeongguk asks the rival team, who all nod in agreement. “Then… do you hate brushing your teeth?”

“Brushing my teeth makes me want to die,” Namjoon admits, earning muffled laughter from Jaekyung, who’s now hiding his face behind his sleeve, eyes watery with amusement. “I wish I didn’t even have teeth then I wouldn’t have to bother brushing them!” Jaekyung adds dramatically, sending the group into another round of giggles. “Honestly, I’ve never seen you complain about brushing your teeth before,” Jeongguk points out, raising an eyebrow.

The debate goes back and forth like this for another couple of minutes before both teams say their final sentiments and finish this segment. The points total up to being Team Kim Seokjin with 15 points and Team Jeon Jaekyung with 40 points. Team Kim Seokjin wins.

“Let’s spin it,” Jeongguk says, as the boys crowd around the front of the classroom, eyes glued to the penalty roulette wheel to see what fate awaits Team Jeon Jaekyung. The pointer lands on ‘sunset in Incheon,’ drawing groans from the team. But with Jeongguk holding the title of class president, he’s given the power to choose one unfortunate soul from Team Kim Seokjin to share in their punishment.

After a suspenseful round of chamchamcham, Seokjin is officially recruited to the losing team, destined for the ‘sunset in Incheon’ penalty. With cameras still rolling, Yoongi nudges him for a closing remark. “Yes,” Seokjin says solemnly, clasping his hands as if delivering a speech to the nation. The others snicker behind him. “Run BTS has been a blast… Moments like these, I really hope we get to do more of them.”

“Run BTS is such a blast,” Seokjin says with a grin, wrapping up the moment. In perfect unison, the rest of the group chimes in with full energy, “Run BTS!!!”

The video switches to Team Jeon Jaekyung and Jin and Yoongi—who had originally chosen to be in Team Jeon Jaekyung—arriving at the sunset place in Incheon as they get out of their cars wearing thick jackets.

“Alright, we’ve made it to Incheon for our penalty mission,” Jimin announces as the group trudges toward the designated spot. “The weather’s awful. Just a blanket of clouds,” Jaekyung mutters through his face mask, glancing up at the dull sky. “How are we supposed to tell when the sun sets?” he adds, scanning the nearly deserted area. “Are we just… stuck here till it gets dark?” Aside from the scattered staff nearby, the place feels pretty empty.

The boys huddle together, laughter bubbling up as Jimin groans, “Will I ever win a game? I’ve done every single penalty!” “Please, I’ve done most of them,” Jin shoots back with a laugh. While waiting for the sun to dip below the horizon, they chat casually, soaking up the moment. A quick photo with the sea behind them captures the memory, and finally after a long cloudy day, it’s time to head home.

THE END.

+ part 1 | part 2

Team Jeon Jaekyung kicks off their second attempt with promising precision until Hoseok's bell slips from his hand and clatters to the floor. Jimin bursts into laughter while Jaekyung lets out a dramatic sigh, a grin tugging at his face. “Yah! Ever heard of grip control?” The maknae teases. Hoseok bows his head slightly, cheeks tinged pink. “Sorry, guys.” Jeongguk steps in with a smile. “Let’s reset. Together this time.” Each member reclaims their bell with renewed focus just as Yoongi clears his throat. “Third try,” he announces, clipboard at the ready.

Jimin requests that the two teams have five more minutes to practice the song again. Yoongi allows it.

Once practice wraps up, Team Jeon Jaekyung decides to go for one more round. “Let’s pace ourselves this time,” Jaekyung advises, earning nods from his hyungs. They start off strong, the notes ringing in harmony until their fingers wander and they veer off the music sheet, striking all the wrong tones. Yoongi groans. “Nope! You’ve gone completely off-script.” Realising their musical detour, the team breaks into laughter, bells jingling with every chuckle.

As the boys huddle to practice again, Yoongi steps in with an offer to guide them. “Just read the notes,” he says, before giving a quick demo of how it's done correctly. Jaekyung gives it a shot but his execution leaves Yoongi dramatically clutching his clipboard, on the brink of tears. “No! You’re doing it like this,” Yoongi exclaims, mimicking Jaekyung’s version, then follows up with the proper technique. He sighs, heading back to his seat. “Read the note,” he repeats, sounding more like a weary music professor than their teacher.

Jaekyung slumps back in his seat, groaning. “This is way too much.” Jeongguk nods in agreement. “Totally different from what we’re used to.” Determined, Jaekyung straightens up and gives it another go, motioning for the others to follow his lead. Yoongi narrows his eyes, observing. “It’s three-four time,” he points out. “Why are you all playing it like it’s four-four?”

Jimin throws his hands up, exasperated. “What even is that, Teacher? Let’s just call it quits.” Yoongi steps in again, patient but persistent. After a quick demo and some pointed guidance, the boys finally begin to understand, light bulbs flickering on all around. He returns to his seat and clears his throat. “Alright, eyes up! Attention, attention!” But the classroom is chaos. Everyone is locked in their own little jam session. Jaekyung snaps to attention first, frowning at the noise. “Guys, the teacher’s talking!” he shouts across the room. He turns to Yoongi, shaking his head. “Aish… the disrespect is crazy. Teach, are you really just gonna let this slide?”

Yoongi mutters under his breath, “I’m just here for the paycheck…” as chaos resumes. Team Kim Seokjin steps up to perform first, but their tempo races ahead, leaving Namjoon visibly thrown off and fumbling. The misfire opens the floor for Team Jeon Jaekyung. They launch into the song with solid coordination, nearly nailing it until the final stretch trips them up again. Frustrated, Jimin vents by shaking his bell like it owes him something, furiously ringing it as Jaekyung tries not to laugh.

Jimin sulks, still ringing his bell with attitude until Jaekyung chuckles and pats his back. “Good effort, good effort,” he says warmly. Yoongi steps in, clipboard in hand. “Alright, that’s enough. Let’s wrap it up.” But Jimin springs to his feet, lips jutting out in an exaggerated pout. “Teacher~ we’re trying so hard,” he whines dramatically. Jaekyung can’t help but laugh, grabbing Jimin gently by the sleeve and pulling him back down into his seat. Yoongi shakes his head with a sigh and turns his attention to Team Kim Seokjin.

The classroom’s tension is thick as both teams rack up two more failed attempts, each performance more chaotic than the last. Exhausted, Yoongi rubs his temples and sighs. “One last chance, Team Jeon Jaekyung,” he warns. “If you mess this up, it's a draw.” With laser focus, the boys dive into their final try and this time, everything clicks. The rhythm, the notes, the energy—flawless. As the final bell rings out in harmony, the team erupts into cheers, collapsing into a triumphant group hug, their laughter echoing through the room.

Back at their desks, the boys catch their breath from the high of success. “Wow, that went way better than expected,” Jimin says, beaming. “We really nailed it,” Jaekyung adds, clearly proud, especially after stepping up to cover Hoseok’s part near the end. “I’m crying,” Hoseok wheezes between laughs, dabbing at his eyes dramatically. Team Kim Seokjin muster one final attempt… but despite their determination, it ends in another fumble.

Taehyung silently flips his chair upside down and parks it neatly on the desk, bells abandoned like a forgotten dream. “I’m leaving,” he declares with theatrical finality. Jaekyung bursts into laughter. “Is he seriously skipping class right in front of the teacher?” he says between chuckles. “Weren’t you the golden child two minutes ago?”

Once everyone has settled back down, Yoongi announces Team Jeon Jaekyung as the winner for this class.

Yoongi checks the clock and stands up. “Alright, it’s lunch time,” he announces. “But this isn’t your average break. Today, we’re going solo.” He pulls out an oversized card, revealing a zoomed-in image of some mystery food. The boys lean in, curious. “By raising your hand, you’ll guess what it is,” Yoongi explains, flipping the card to show the answer written discreetly on the back of the first one.

Before Yoongi can speak again, Jimin jumps up with a burst of confidence. “Kimchi! It’s kimchi!” he declares, repeating himself with no room for doubt. Yoongi glances at the back of the card, sighs, then tosses it aside. “Well, thanks to Jimin’s psychic powers—or blatant cheating—kimchi is off the menu.” The class groans in unison, and Jimin just grins, unbothered.

Jaekyung slumps in his seat, whining, “Ah, whyyy?” Yoongi shrugs, totally unfazed. “That’s life,” he says, pulling up the next mystery card and flipping it around for all to see. Jaekyung squints at the zoomed-in image, eyes narrowing. “Wait… is that jelly?” he guesses, raising his hand with hope. “Incorrect,” Yoongi replies bluntly. The rest of the group leans in, just as puzzled, murmuring guesses that don’t quite land. Seeing their struggle, Yoongi grabs a version of the photo that’s a little less zoomed in, hoping to spark a breakthrough.

Jimin’s eyes light up as he blurts out, “Sweet and sour chicken!” Yoongi flips the card and gives a satisfied nod. “Correct!” Hoseok cheers and lunges in for a celebratory hug, but Jimin quickly stops him. “Yah, I got the answer, not you,” he laughs, gently pushing him away. Jaekyung chuckles from the side but still wears a pout. Jimin notices and flashes a grin. “It’s fine, we can all share,” he says, reaching out to link arms with Hoseok and Jaekyung on either side. “Jae-ah, link arms with Jeonggukie too. Let’s make this a full circle,” he adds, smiling wide.

Yoongi reveals the next image, and chaos follows. The members throw out wild guesses—“Rotten tooth!” “Earwax!”—as the confusion thickens. Jaekyung stands up, squinting hard at the picture before smirking mischievously. “Teacher~ it's your belly button,” he announces with mock pride. Laughter erupts around the room, but Yoongi remains stone-faced. “Incorrect,” he replies flatly, tossing the card aside like it personally offended him.

As the game progresses, Team Kim Seokjin have won bulgogi, kimchi stew, chilli shrimp and pork cutlet so far.

Jaekyung lets out a dramatic “Wah…” clearly moved. “You know, guys… I come from a very tough background—” he begins, diving into a playful plea for sympathy. Jimin rolls his eyes with a grin and lightly smacks Jaekyung’s arm. “Come on, don’t start begging now,” he laughs. Then he turns to Team Kim Seokjin with a sincere tone. “Let’s call it even, yeah? How about we make up?”

Seokjin squints at the boys, unimpressed. “Who are you people?” he says, brushing off the olive branch like it never existed. Yoongi flips the next card. Grilled short rib patties. Hoseok guesses it instantly. “Got it!” he cheers, nailing the guess. Then comes a tomato, and Jaekyung leans forward confidently. “That’s a tomato,” he says, and he’s right. As the final round wraps up, Hoseok blinks. “Wait… that’s it? Game over?” Jaekyung looks genuinely betrayed. “Hold on, we’re not eating?” Thankfully, food is still on the menu. The boys settle in with their teams, laughter bubbling up as they share bites. Even Seokjin softens, walking over to Team Jaekyung and feeding them some of the food himself.

As the teams polish off the last of their lunch, Jaekyung is still happily munching away, casually reaching over to snag bites from the others’ trays. Hoseok chuckles, watching the maknae go to town. “Ah, he’s still growing,” he teases. Jaekyung takes a generous bite of mackerel, eyes lighting up with satisfaction. “Is it yummy?” Jimin asks sweetly, leaning in with a curious smile. “I’ll bring you more tomorrow!” He declares with genuine excitement, prompting a burst of laughter from both him and Hoseok.

With lunch wrapped up and lunchboxes cleared, Yoongi claps his hands to reel everyone in. “Next up—P.E.,” he announces, as the room buzzes with activity. Desks are shuffled aside and equipment begins to pile up in preparation. Jaekyung eyes his team and confidently taps Jimin’s shoulder. “You’re perfect for the hanger game. You’ve got the build for it,” he says with a playful grin. The group quickly dives into sorting out roles, assigning tasks with purpose and a touch of friendly strategy.

Namjoon observes the other group with admiration. “You guys work together so well,” he says, then glances back at his own team, clearly perplexed. “I don’t even know what to do with these two,” he sighs, motioning toward Taehyung and Seokjin. “Seokjin’s not squeezing through that hanger. It’d be like asking Jaekyung to do it. Those shoulders? No way. Physically impossible.”

Once both teams have decided which assignments should be allocated to which member, Seokjin and Jaekyung play rock-paper-scissors to determine who goes first. Jaekyung wins.

Jaekyung pumps his fist in victory. “I won! Alright, we’re up first, yeah?” he says to his team, and they all nod in agreement. Yoongi sets the timer, clipboard ready. On their first attempt, things fall apart quickly, ending in a stumble and a reset. Undeterred, Team Jeon Jaekyung launches into their second try with laser focus, this time nailing it with a finish time of 1 minute and 42 seconds. Then Team Kim Seokjin steps up and breezes through flawlessly on their very first try, clocking in under one minute.

Totalling the points from both music class and P.E., both teams are tied at five points each.

“Alright, last class of the day—Korean,” Yoongi announces, with a final burst of energy.

TO BE CONTINUED. . .

+ part 1 | part 3

“I’ll do roll call, then we’ll start,” Yoongi says, sounding like he stayed up way too late last night. “Alright… RM, Jin—” “PRESENT!” Jin suddenly yells, startling everyone. The class bursts into laughter. Yoongi sighs, rubbing his temple. “Quiet. Quiet. Don’t encourage him.”

“J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook, Jaekyung…” Yoongi calls out, eyes scanning the room. Jaekyung raises his hand with the laziest wave known to man. “Jaekyung,” Yoongi repeats, unimpressed. “Is he not here?” The maknae tilts his head back like he’s contemplating the ceiling, trying, and failing, to hide a smirk. “Here,” he says at last, dragging the word out like it’s a chore.

“Jaekyung’s here, Teacher,” Jeongguk pipes up, grabbing the boy’s arm and lifting it like a trophy. Yoongi doesn’t even bat an eye. He turns to the board, chalk in hand. “Alright. I’m Min Suga,” he says, scribbling his name with the energy of someone who’s done this way too many times. “We’ve got four classes today,” he adds, deadpan. “Brace yourselves.”

Once the rules for the episode are laid out, Yoongi steps forward again. “Before class starts, we’ll play a quick game to split into teams,” he says. “It’s rock-paper-scissors but we’re skipping paper. Just rock and scissors to make two groups.”

The results of the game are: Team Scissors which consists of RM, J-Hope, Jimin & V and Team Rock which consists of Jin, Jungkook & Jaekyung.

“Actually, you know what? Let’s just go with the groups you’re already sitting in,” Yoongi decides, waving off his own plan. Jaekyung visibly deflates in his seat, like someone just cancelled his vacation. Across the room, Jimin bursts out laughing and points at him. “Look at his face. He’s so disappointed.” J-Hope grins, leaning in. “Why do you look like that? Do you hate your team that much?”

Jaekyung stays slumped in his seat, arms crossed, clearly unbothered—or so he wants everyone to think. Jin leans over Taehyung’s shoulder, eyeing the youngest. “It’s ‘cause he’s stuck next to the teacher’s pet,” he says, loud enough for half the room to hear. Taehyung flashes his signature boxy smile, completely unfazed. “Who, me?” Jaekyung raises a hand, deadpan. “Teacher, are the groups final?” His tone screams please save me, even if his face stays perfectly blank.

“Anyway, groups are set,” Yoongi says, casually steamrolling right over Jaekyung’s question. “Ah, this teacher is…” Namjoon mutters under his breath. “…just making it up as he goes,” Hoseok finishes, exchanging a look with Namjoon like they’ve silently joined Team Jaekyung in protest. Jaekyung doesn’t say anything, just sinks further into his seat like he’s accepted his fate.

Due to the disagreements from the students, Teacher Yoongi relents and allows them to redo the rock-scissors game to divide the teams again.

The new teams are as follows: Team Scissors consists of RM, Jin & V and Team Rock consists of J-Hope, Jimin, Jungkook & Jaekyung.

“Alright, that’s it!” Jaekyung bursts out, practically bouncing out of his seat with excitement. Around him, the other boys seem to nod in approval, shifting spots as the new teams settle in. “Hey, check it out. The Kim brothers ended up on the same team!”

“Looks like the Jeons are with us,” Jimin announces as the two youngest settle into their seats. Jaekyung ends up sandwiched between Jimin and Jeongguk. Jimin gives him a once-over, eyebrows raised. “You’ve got some serious muscle. Are you on the wrestling team or something?” Before Jaekyung can reply, Hoseok snatches Jimin’s arm and yanks him back. “Not now, Jimin,” he mutters.

Teacher Yoongi asks the two teams to pick a name for themselves.

“Team Jeon Jaekyung, Teacher,” Jimin announces on behalf of the group, flashing a grin in Jaekyung’s direction, who barely reacts. The opposing side settles on ‘Team Kim Seokjin.’ Yoongi, watching the exchange, shrugs. “Alright, I guess I have to pick a side now,” he says. “Not that I’ll be much use.”

To wrap it up, Yoongi draws a straw from the mixed pile labelled with both team names, landing himself in Team Jeon Jaekyung. He keeps the result to himself, leaving the others guessing about which side he’s joined.

Next, the students get to pick three penalties to include in the penalty roulette. They go with buying ice cream for the staff, wearing a BT21 neck pillow of the characters from the team that wins, and wearing BT21 masks of the characters from the team that wins.

Yoongi claps his hands, drawing the room’s attention. “Alright, let’s kick off our first class,” he says. “And we’re starting strong with the class president election!” As the bell rings, the students pound their desks in sync with its chime, creating an energising beat. One by one, they’re called to the front, each expected to win the class over with a short pitch. Namjoon steps up first, eyes steady, ready to speak.

Namjoon heads toward the blackboard, marker in hand, ready to write his name until Yoongi stops him with a laugh. “Nope, that’s not how we do it!” Jin states, barely containing his amusement. “Did you even go to school?” Jimin shouts, exasperated. “Use chalk,” Yoongi adds, pointing at the tray. Jaekyung watches in disbelief, eyebrows raised. “Is this guy even qualified to be in this class?” he asks. Hoseok nods solemnly. “Definitely a little strange.”

Jimin raises an eyebrow. “Not exactly class president material, if you ask me.” Namjoon mutters under his breath, “Guess they skipped whiteboards at his school.” Hoseok leans in, sharing quietly, “Word is he ranked first back in his old school.” Jimin lets out a laugh. “What, was he homeschooled?” Jaekyung snorts. “Bet he graded his own papers too.”

Namjoon wraps up his pitch with an impromptu dance, earning chuckles and a few impressed nods. Jin follows, and the election continues smoothly down the age line until finally, it’s Jaekyung’s moment. The youngest struts up to the front with exaggerated swagger, prompting a chorus of “Oooooh!” from the boys. Jin leans toward his teammates, voice low. “Isn’t he that troublemaker? Heard he throws punches just for people having a different opinion to him.”

Jaekyung keeps a straight face, but the smile tugging at his lips betrays him as he scribbles his name on the board and spins around. Hoseok leans back, eyeing him. “With a guy that size leading us? No other class would dare challenge Class Giant.” Jimin squints. “This is middle school, right? How’s he already hit puberty?”

A hush falls over the room as Jaekyung casually plants his arms on Yoongi’s desk, cool and unreadable. A few boys glance around, puzzled. “Wait... is he mute?” someone whispers. Then Jaekyung finally lifts his head, voice calm but chilling. “If I become class president… you’ll all regret it.”

As the school bell chimes, signaling his moment to shine, Jaekyung pivots smoothly and hits the iconic MJ pelvic thrust before gliding across the floor in a flawless moonwalk back to his seat. Hoseok’s jaw drops. “Wait—is he even from here? He could be Michael Jackson’s descendant!” The rest of the boys leap to their feet, applauding wildly, giving the maknae a full-on standing ovation. “Wah… who would've thought the class bruiser had moves like that?” one of them mutters, half in awe, half in disbelief.

After everyone has given their speeches, Yoongi holds up a stack of paper and starts handing it out, his voice cutting through the chatter. “Class president comes with some serious perks,” he announces. “And remember; no voting for yourself.”

Once everyone has picked their choice for president, Yoongi counts the votes live. It’s a close match between Jeongguk and Jaekyung with one more vote remaining to be counted.

Jaekyung clicks his tongue, clearly unimpressed. “Tch, I told you not to vote for me.” Jeongguk glances over at the youngest, offering a quiet gesture of solidarity. “No matter who wins, we’ve got each other, yeah?” He extends a fist. Jaekyung shrugs and bumps it with his own. “Deal.” As the final vote is read out, it tips the scale in Jeongguk’s favour. Jaekyung is the first to clap, smacking Jeongguk on the shoulder with a proud grin.

Yoongi steps forward. “By the votes, our new class president is… Jeon Jungkook.” A ripple of reaction spreads across the room. “Yah, I’ve got goosebumps,” Jin murmurs, rubbing his arms. Jaekyung blinks, then bursts into laughter, breaking character. “Wait, who actually voted for me after that mess of a speech?” Jin, Jimin, and Jeongguk sheepishly raise their hands. “I figured you’d body-check anyone who tried to steal my lunch money,” Jin admits. Jeongguk shrugs, grinning. “That moonwalk sealed the deal.” “And I figured you’d boost our rep,” Jimin adds. “We’d be the coolest class in school.”

Yoongi steps forward again, ready to continue. “Alright, time for our second class,” he says. “Since this is a school with a focus on music…” Before he can finish, Jaekyung interrupts with a confused look. “Wait, our school’s about music, Teach?” Unfazed, Yoongi points straight at Jaekyung. “Students gifted in singing,” he says, then gestures to some others, “and students who’ve got a knack for rapping.”

Yoongi claps his hands to gather the class’s attention. “Alright, second class is music!” he says again. “And your instrument for today… hand bells.” Taehyung and Jaekyung blink in unison. “Handbag?” they echo, confused. Jimin bursts into laughter, and soon the rest of the class is chiming in, repeating the mistake like an echo chamber. “Hand bells,” Yoongi corrects with a sigh, waving the actual instruments for emphasis. “You’ve got ten minutes to figure out how not to embarrass yourselves.”

The staff distribute a variety of hand bells, each ringing with a different pitch as the boys begin to experiment with them. Off to the side, the youngest two are completely absorbed, piecing together scales in their own quiet rhythm. Hoseok nudges Jimin with a grin. “Looks like the Jeons have some musical chops too.”

Jimin puffs out his chest playfully. “Yah, I can do this too,” he says, prompting Hoseok to burst into laughter. “I’m not a rapper,” he adds, exasperated. Jaekyung watches the exchange with a grin, trading bells with Jeongguk as their hyungs banter. “I’m a singer,” Jimin says proudly, turning to Hoseok. “Bet you didn’t know that, huh?”

Yoongi begins distributing music sheets to each group, his tone upbeat. “Today’s piece is the Celebrated Chop Waltz,” he announces. “And fun fact—Taehyung’s practically a veteran. He’s been playing this one for eight years.”

For the next ten minutes, both teams dive into rehearsing the Celebrated Chop Waltz with their hand bells, each group clanging and chiming away in rhythm. Team Jeon Jaekyung nails the tune twice before the clock runs out, choosing to rest their ringing ears for the remainder. Meanwhile, Team Kim Seokjin is still working through the piece, stuck around the halfway mark on the music sheet.

Yoongi shoots up from his chair, voice sharp and urgent. “Time’s up. Ten minutes!” he shouts, slamming his clipboard down on the desk with a loud thud. “Stop! Stop, stop, stop!”

TO BE CONTINUED. . .

+ part 2 | part 3

Due to the footage and pictures released from this, Jaekyung had received backlash from a small group of netizens who were upset that he had been exuding ‘inappropriate behaviour’ because he was captured drinking and seemed a little tipsy. Then soon enough, other solo stans of Jaekyung would start to send in requests to this user, wishing to gain more information on their idol’s personal life which is how the account turned more transactional.

the boys’ reaction : as jaekyung was a generally sweet guy, they were already rather protective of the maknae to begin with so this situation only worked to irritate the members on jaekyung’s behalf. their first priority was to bring it up with staff, and for extra measure they made sure one of them was always with jaekyung.

( the ot7 stan )

insight : an account dedicated to ‘spreading the truth’ about jaekyung through hate and false rumours. an ot7 stan that wants jaekyung out of bts.

This user is a particularly nasty one. They believe that BTS should strive forward as seven members instead of eight, excluding Jaekyung out because he supposedly holds the group back and takes the spotlight away from the others because of his position as both main vocalist and lead dancer.

In order to garner support for this opinion, they will often take clips of the group’s content and cast Jaekyung maliciously with commentary about how he’s too condescending or sometimes, on extreme occasions, abusive to the other members. This had caused a lot of grief for Jaekyung who had at one point stumbled across one of these clips, causing him anxiety and paranoia around his members because he was afraid his actions would be misinterpreted again.

the boys’ reaction : the members were very quick to notice something was wrong. jaekyung’s change in behaviour had them concerned and wishing to find out what was wrong, and after some coaxing, jaekyung had given in. it’s safe to say they were very outspoken about this incident, going to weverse to post their thoughts and utter disgust at the user behind the controversy. they made sure legal action was taken and comforted jaekyung immensely.

( the delusional stan )

insight : an account under the impression that they are destined to be together with jaekyung/that jaekyung is secretly infatuated with them.

This user had started out pretty harmless. She was an ordinary fan but held a very big liking to Jaekyung which is why she would often attempt to gain access to fan meets in order to meet him. She was lucky enough to win quite a few times surprisingly, meaning she had gotten to know him just a little under controlled circumstances.

Jaekyung had been pleasantly surprised himself to see her win an opportunity to two different fan meets at first, and even congratulated her, but soon he was beginning to get slightly irked after the third time. Of course he continued to portray a polite image but then she started to take it the wrong way. She believed that he found it sweet that she somehow always managed to win an opportunity to see him.

It was only a matter of time though until people began complaining, requesting HYBE to take measures for these fan meets so others got an opportunity to meet their idols too. This is when the obsession started, leading to the stalking. This sasaeng would attempt to find out where Jaekyung hung out and would show up there, pretending it was a coincidence and that it was ‘fate’.

the boys’ reaction : the others really felt for jaekyung with this one because they know just how much the maknae’s personal life means to him. this sasaeng was completely unpredictable, sending creepy and strange gifts to jaekyung’s address which the members were a witness to as well whenever they would come over to his apartment. this was the situation that first led to jaekyung being appointed his own team of personal bodyguards.

( the scandal alerter )

insight : an account that is a copycat of dispatch but far more vicious and with the sole focus of obtaining information on jeon jaekyung by any means necessary.

This user is probably one of the most infamous amongst ARMYs with a very vast following that only seems to grow as time goes on. A lot of people misjudge this user as being an innocent stan account for Jaekyung but the reality is that this user doesn’t care much about acts of stalking; they will do anything to inform their followers of what’s going on in Jaekyung’s life, particularly with his romantic involvement with others. There have been attempts to hack into his private messages on his phone to obtain such information.

There has also been multiple occasions where rumours have sprung up that lead back to this user about Jaekyung dating, even just from being citied with a woman alone. It’s unsurprisingly led to him distancing himself from being seen with his female friends and colleagues in public and has led to hate and death threats being thrown at them if they are identified.

the boys’ reaction : this sasaeng had them feeling really bitter because it affected jaekyung the most. he never had a good relationship with bullies and the boys were aware it made jaekyung feel guilty towards his friends because of the hurt he felt he was causing, for putting them through this sort of treatment, so his hyungs offered their hand in helping jaekyung find a middle ground, often telling him of different places where they could find privacy and not be followed so easily.

Jaekyung sees Yonghwan as a father figure and absolutely adores him, even posting pictures of them hanging out from time to time or occasions where Yonghwan would surprise Jaekyung with cake or take him out for a drink on his birthday. He’s advocated many times that he probably wouldn’t have made it so far in his career if it wasn’t for Yonghwan’s constant stream of support.

( the stylists )

The stylists at HYBE love love love to dote on Jaekyung. For a lot of the women, Jaekyung is close to their own sons’ age which tends to bring out their motherly instincts quite quickly in terms of wanting to make sure the boy is always comfortable. If anybody were to ask them, they’d honestly only have good things to say and it’s actually a well known fact amongst the stylists that Jaekyung is considered a pleasure to work with because he’s very accommodating with his “manner legs” due to his tall stature.

For the men, although Jaekyung is still considered a delight by them, he is far more willing to play the role of the bratty maknae who can’t seem to sit still. He will side with the women and tease them but also isn’t afraid to joke with them as they tend to be close enough in age for him to be able to call them “hyung” and have that sort of friendly banter.

Overall, their favourite part about working with Jaekyung is that he’s never picky about anything. Although a lot of the time idols don’t get a say in their looks, a lot will still try to push for a certain style that coincides with what they’re comfortable with but Jaekyung is never like that. He’s polite, thanking the stylists for making him look pretty during every new concept.

( the backup dancers )

Of the many groups that work within HYBE, Jaekyung thinks he might be the closest with his backup dancers, a lot of whom have been with him perhaps as long as his own hyungs have. He always found himself admiring their hard work and support as they have to put just as much effort into the performances as him but oftentimes to a lesser extent of recognition in return.

He makes it his mission to make sure they know exactly how much he appreciates their service. During breaks, he will try to talk to a lot of them individually and see how they’re getting along, sometimes buying the group snacks and drinks and taking them out as a treat after a particularly successful performance or concert. In turn, the group of dancers try to go out of their way to show Jaekyung how much they appreciate his recognition as well.

The bond between Jaekyung and the backup dancers is built on respect and admiration. Due to his sweet nature and gentle presence, the dancers never have a problem making suggestions on what could elevate the choreography or sometimes asking Jaekyung for advice on certain steps that he seems to be able to execute better than the experts. They have a really close friendship.

( the camera crew )

For the camera crew, spending a day with Jaekyung for work can either be a hit or a miss, also depending on who gets assigned with filming him. During filming for things such as Bangtan Bombs or documentaries, Jaekyung can be a delight who will liven up the place by making jokes and often trying to make conversation with his assigned crew member even though he knows they can’t really respond. A lot of the crew enjoys spending time filming Jaekyung during these things because he’s cute and likes to get up to silly antics.

It’s when they’re filming for Run BTS however, that none of the camera crew want anything to do with Jaekyung. It’s an absolute spectacle to behold when the crew circle around their director to find out who’s been tasked with filming Jaekyung for an episode where the mission requires an awful lot of movement. It’s even become an inside joke included within the show where they hold a segment to reveal the unfortunate staff member. Jaekyung takes his Run BTS challenges very seriously and that often means sprinting to either get away from his hyungs or to pursue them.

Most of the time though, the camera crew are still grateful for Jaekyung even after a hectic day of shooting and trying to keep up with his fast pace because he will attempt to thank them by ordering them food with his own money during breaks. He’s also respectful and assists the staff in cleaning up and putting away any necessary equipment after they’re done and packing up for the day.

( the producers )

When it comes to the producers, they’ve honestly never had a bad thing to say about Jaekyung, even jokingly. In fact, he’s a lot of the producers’ favourite idol due to how easy it is to work with him. He has a natural talent for singing, strives to learn and improve all the time which shows during his recording sessions. He doesn’t shy away from asking questions or for demonstrations when he’s stuck, and he follows instructions to a perfect T.

He takes his music seriously. He shows up for work on time, sometimes earlier than necessary just to get some practice in, and will add just the right amount of his own uniqueness to the song to really solidify it as his creation. He will add his own adlibs but will still ask for feedback on them and doesn’t kick up a fuss if they’re considered unfit at all. He enjoys vibing with his producers and they’ll even spend time just listening to tunes together when they’re taking a break.

Jaekyung has such a strong bond with his producers that even when they’re creating demos for other groups, they keep Jaekyung at the very top of the list of idols to sample the songs for them because he has what’s considered “the perfect pitch”, his voice also being able to nail almost any genre he puts his mind to. He’s helped a lot of producers bring their vision to life.

He was at the shop to relax, taking a break to enjoy the scenery within the confines of his little corner next to the window when he saw Jaekyung at the counter placing an order. He was hesitant as to approach the man during his free time but decided to go for it anyway and introduced himself to Jaekyung who had to do a double take at the gorgeous man bowing politely.

Their friendship began from Jaekyung’s dumbstruck compliment, telling Seonghwa, “Wow, does Seoul have models just walking around like this nowadays?” to which the older blushed, revealing that he was in fact an idol who had recently debuted. They exchanged numbers after a long conversation at the shop and often keep in touch.

( ok taecyeon )

Jaekyung knew of Taecyeon very early on due to his affiliation with the K-pop boyband 2PM whose music he would often listen to during his trainee years. He was extremely nervous when he had heard about BTS being invited to perform at the KBS Festival with VIXX and 2PM which would have been the first time the two groups, and Jaekyung and Taecyeon, would have crossed paths. He wanted to make a good impression on his seniors.

It was after the performance, when Jaekyung was walking off of the stage with his members, his body still buzzing from adrenaline, that he had heard a soft voice calling his name. His hyungs had barely heard it, talking amongst themselves as they headed to the changing rooms for a break, but he’d turned around to see Taecyeon making his way over with a smile.

Their friendship took on more of a mentor/mentee role after Taecyeon was practically floored at the raw vocals and genuine talent of Bangtan Boys’ youngest member. He wanted to take Jaekyung under his wing, having had a few years more experience in the industry, and taught him everything he knew about idol life in order to help the boy soar in his career over the years.

( choi soobin )

Along with the rest of TXT, Jaekyung met Soobin for the first time after BTS’s Chicago performance. He knew of Bighit’s plans for debuting another boygroup, had even heard of the different trainees that had been selected, but he never truly had the time to meet them because of his own group’s busy schedule during that period in his career. Soobin—much like Jaekyung with Taecyeon—was a fan of the maknae from the start.

According to Yeonjun’s account, Soobin would often talk about how cool he thought Jaekyung was, the fact he collected the maknae’s photocards and was often motivated to do better when watching Jaekyung perform with such vigour on stage. It made Jaekyung’s hyungs shake him in excitement and pride as the male blushed from embarrassment and tried to shove his members away.

Their friendship began due to TXT and BTS conducting business in the same building, giving Jaekyung the opportunity to get to know Soobin better and check up on him and his members during practice. He took on a similar role to Taecyeon, as a hyung who had more experience in the industry and wanted to see Soobin soar. He would give the younger advice and spend time with him outside of work too.

( cha eunwoo )

Jaekyung met Eunwoo through Jeongguk when he was invited to hang out with some of the boys from the 97 line. They went to a bunch of different places from restaurants to bars to karaoke clubs but most of the boys had to leave early save for Eunwoo who stayed with them until the late hours of the morning. They got talking properly after Jeongguk ended up taking a quick nap, having finished his last song for the night with the karaoke machine.

Jaekyung got to know a lot about Eunwoo’s background, his time with Astro and the members, his acting gigs, and in return Jaekyung told the older about his own history. He told him about growing up in a poor family after his parents had gone bankrupt and out of business, how he met his Pyeonghye hyungs before making it into the industry with zero expectations that he was even going to make it past auditions.

Their friendship began from how closely they were able to bond from their very first meeting, probably with the aid of alcohol in their systems to lighten them up, but they became awfully comfortable with sharing things they wouldn’t with many others. Whenever either of them had a problem, they would spend time together to take their mind off of it.

( honourable mentions )

lee know dawn iu jinyoung

and with the amount of space he has, he can’t not have some crazy and interesting decor pieces scattered around. mainly his cute little display of his bear bricks collection and souvenirs from different trips around the world with his members.

the inspiration behind the interior comes from a lot of western influences. he wanted to go for a darker look but his family (who would visit him often) convinced him against it because apparently it would make him seem intimidating to guests.

( the kitchen )

like many apartments, jaekyung’s kitchen is in the same space as his living room and could probably host twenty people in it at one time. it gives him ample room to experiment with dishes.

his mother will often raid his home just to use his kitchen. jaekyung doesn’t mind however because it means he gets to taste home cooked meals again and nobody beats his mom’s cooking.

honestly there’s always a pile of dishes waiting to be washed in his sink or wrappers lying around on the counter that he forgets to throw away. he’s the epitome of a clean freak’s worst nightmare.

but even though he’s messy, he does like to keep his everyday essentials organised in little racks after nearly burning half of his food because he couldn’t find the salt or gochujang at various stages.

( the bedrooms )

his apartment comes fully equipped with three bedrooms, two of which he’s transformed into guest rooms for friends staying over. the middle image is the one he uses, although most of the time he falls asleep in the living room.

his bedroom comes with glass walls facing the front of his bed which he can slide open, leading into the balcony. at night, the curtains can be electronically controlled to close.

he doesn’t have much in his bedroom as he spends most of his time outside of it but he’s been contemplating getting a small bathtub or jacuzzi there.

when his family members argue, sometimes one of them will come over to stay with jaekyung for a few nights. each of the two rooms have practically been allocated and named after members of the family who visit most such as “mom’s room” and “sana’s room.”

( the bathroom )

jaekyung’s bathroom is a safe haven for him when times are rough and he just needs to relax. he loves to take steamy showers and bubble baths under the dim lights (which are adjustable in accordance to his liking).

his bathroom is also a goldmine of expensive skincare products. he has chairs laid out in front of the mirrors and large drawers for his items from creams to face masks to his hair dryer and more.

he has a small balcony attached to his bathroom too. sometimes he’ll keep the door open during the summer when it’s too hot and stuffy and the cold showers aren’t enough for him.

there is a television installed on the wall in front of the bathtub so that jaekyung can watch shows or movies but he’s planning to get it replaced with a projector instead because it’s more efficient and leaves more space on the wall.

( the wardrobe )

for his clothes and accessories, he has a walk-in closet with hundreds upon hundreds of shelves but most of the space is honestly used up for his shoe collection more than his clothes. he has a shoe addiction.

he likes to decorate his closet with led lights and some paintings because the room looks too bland otherwise since it’s just filled full of display cases and cabinets. some of the empty spaces even display bear bricks statues.

this is the one room where he will actually put any effort into keeping tidy and organised. he has his wardrobe sectioned off and keeps his clothes on hangers, his shoes on the very top shelf and his accessories in drawers to maintain order.

and of course he can’t go without a nice vanity mirror to make sure he’s dressed in a stylish manner. a lot of his selcas are taken in front of that mirror which is also how he ended up giving army a tour of the room during a live once.

( the balcony )

due to living on the top floor of his apartment, jaekyung has the perfect open view on his balcony and he’s taken every opportunity to take advantage of that by practically turning the balcony into a sweet little lawn.

he has his own swimming pool, installed a small grass mat to play quick games of golf or football and also has a nice fireplace decked along the edges of his balcony for cooler nights spent with the members or friends.

the balcony is decked with sofas and pillows in different corners for a lie in as well. you can see every room from here due to all the walls being made out of glass.

a lot of the time him and his hyungs like to hang out for drinks but find it difficult due to their status. this is when jaekyung’s balcony also becomes a luxury as it’s private and closed off as well as spacious enough for a night in.

B IS FOR… *during the run bts ep where they had to put stickers on each other’s backs* *jae currently backing away from nj + karate pose* back the fu- *pretends to cough* my lovely hyung-nim, please kindly back away

C IS FOR… *sj making a poor dad joke* *jae giving him a bombastic side eye* come with me for a second *grabbing his arm and pretending to lead him away*

D IS FOR… daniella! *acting out their own version of a high school musical scene* *jae is grabbing hs’s face but realises he said the wrong name* *big pause* gabriella! *pretends he didn’t make the mistake*

E IS FOR… excuse me, you *pointing at jk eating quietly in the corner* yes, you over there. can you stop breathing so loudly? it’s irritating my ear drums. they’re sensitive.

F IS FOR… *on a fishing trip with sj and yg because he insisted* *currently watching the two hyungs waiting for a catch until sj manages to get one* fish! fish! *pointing cutely + trying to touch it as sj holds up the line* hi fish

G IS FOR… *reading comments on solo live* g… g… what did that say? *trying to search for the comment that caught his attention* g… g-spot? *brain is taking a second to clock on* *ensue wide eyes of realisation* *pretending to check time on his nonexistent watch* ah, it’s pass my bedtime now. goodnight

H IS FOR… *in the middle of a run bts ep, after letting his intrusive thoughts win* hi i’m jaekyung and you’re watching disney channel *wink + finger guns*

I IS FOR… *currently judging hs’s outfit choice for their duo outing* what do you think? *hs asking* i think i know i’m not walking around town with you dressed like that *literally attacked him with no warning lmao*

J IS FOR… *at a concert screaming his heart out* JAPAN MAKE SOME NOOOOISE! *crowd goes wild as they cheer and scream* *insert jae’s duality as he smiles cutely in return* yes thank you i’m jaekyung! *bowing*

K IS FOR… *th trying to deadlift at the company gym rn while jae spots his form* *the older manages to just about lift the weight, his face red* KIM! *jae literally yelling causing th to drop the barbell in shock* *jae pointing* fix that form please thank you *cue cute smile*

L IS FOR… looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day today *sunny outside in the soop before immediately being sprayed with water by sj* ah, refreshing mist *basking in the moisture*

M IS FOR… mmmm *eating chocolate coated churros* wow this is jjinja delicious!

N IS FOR… *reading a comment on live from an army that said they didn’t like themselves lately* no baby. i’ll like you enough for the both of us *blows a kiss*

O IS FOR… *filming himself backstage for a bangtan bomb* oh and here we have our very own state of the art, park jimin-ssi! please say a few words to army *holding the camera in his face as jm goes to speak* yes, thank you, moving on *walks away leaving jm dumbfounded*

P IS FOR… *during bon voyage after hearing nj say pornesian parapio* porn! *gets a wide eyed look from nj immediately* *jae glances at the camera trying to save himself* pooornesian parapio junior. it’s me *smiling + finger heart at the camera*

Q IS FOR… *pre debut hs recording jaegi at a basketball court* *jae has the ball rn, he looks back at the camera* queen elizabeth this one’s for you! *shoots the ball and misses* *ball bounces away, jae stands still as a statue* *camera pans to yg with his hand over his mouth*

R IS FOR… rap mon hyung *tugging on his shirt like a lil kid* rap mon hyung, rap mon hyung, rap mon hyung *nj sighing and looking at jae* yes, kyung-ah *jae grinning cheekily* hi *giggling as he runs away*

S IS FOR… *watching yg attempt to wink at fans rn* should we not check for a fly? i think something might’ve gotten in there *face of slight concern*

T IS FOR… the talltall duo *introducing himself and nj* *looks past nj to jm* oh and jimin hyung *mischievous smile + jm ready to kick his ass*

U IS FOR… *during bon voyage when he gets asked if he’s from bts* uhmm *trying to find where the other members went* sorry, no habla englishi *bowing multiple times before leaving*

V IS FOR… *rapping his knuckles on the table* v-ssi *raised eyebrows + a smirk as th stares, hypnotised by his pecs through the tight shirt* eyes up here *gesturing to his face*

W IS FOR… *yg telling the camera how jae is literally self obsessed* *insert sassy shrug from jae* why wouldn’t i be obsessed with myself? you can’t find a face like this just anywhere *sighs* haters make no sense these days

X IS FOR… *during the run bts tennis ep where th gets hit with the ball* *jae immediately running to lift him* x-ray! x-ray! where’s the x-ray? *carrying his ass to the bench* *nj following* don’t you mean first aid?

Y IS FOR… *th testing jae’s patience during a run bts challenge* you’re just asking to be ctrl alt deleted right now, aren’t you?

Z IS FOR… *jae sat with his feet in a crisscross position, arms spreading up and out, eyes closed* zennnn *dragging out the word* perfect for grounding yourself, to control your emotions *jm and jk sneaking up behind him, putting fingers to lips while looking at the camera* *jk shoves jae’s shoulder and jikook run away giggling, jae not wasting a moment to run after their asses, completely disregarding his earlier meditation*

outro: the fact that this video doesn’t even cover half of the iconic things he’s said is diabolical tbh but please look forward to more future content !

outro: (that is if i don’t disappear off the face of this earth again for another year woops)

when asked about the inspirations behind his style, he said he often looks at pictures and media of western people and how they dressed in the 90s. he has a huge affinity for the era.

( the work look )

armys all around the globe absolutely love the stylists at bighit when it comes to their jaekyung because the team always knows exactly how to make the maknae pop with his outfits.

jaekyung is far more versatile (as required by the company) when it comes to his work. he isn’t very picky with the outfits presented to him and will wear brighter colours and tighter clothes. it is the only time his fashion pulls a complete 180° compared to his casual look.

he is also known for being far more androgynous here as he isn’t afraid to try out new things, often brandishing skirts picked out from the women’s section and telling fans “all clothing is unisex to me.” which helped break down gender norms amongst idols.

when he does get to have some input into his outfits, he likes to show more skin. he’s very proud of the body he’s been able to achieve through working out and likes to show that off through tank tops, mesh shirts and keeping most of the buttons on his button down undone.

( the practice look )

jaekyung’s practice outfits are very similar to his casual ones as they’re both often dark in colour and baggy. he doesn’t put a lot of effort into them and usually assembles the outfit by putting on whatever’s in his line of sight.

he said he only wears these outfits when they have to film the practice videos for army but otherwise likes to go shirtless because he sweats quite easily.

some of the members will try to bury themselves inside of jaekyung’s shirt as it’s so flowy that it can fit more than one person inside. this incident has happened so many times that he’s considered wearing tighter shirts to practice.

as he still keeps in contact with his pyeonghye hyungs, they were the reason jaekyung’s practice clothes began to appear with a little more style to them. the hyungs often messaged jaekyung about how terrible his practice outfits were since they watch all of his performances, and sent him better recommendations of what to wear which he followed.

( the shoe collection )

out of everything in his wardrobe, shoes are the one thing jaekyung is willing to splurge insane amounts of money on. he’s a big shoe fanatic and will often go out of his way to request custom orders.

according to hoseok and jeongguk, jaekyung has an entire wall’s worth of shoes in his closet. when asked the number, he said it was probably over 200 pairs (and counting).

when he’s running out of space for his new collections however, he does donate the ones he’s never gotten a chance to wear to charity. he wants those in need to be able to have new shoes too.

he really likes chunky designs that will boost his height and make him taller than he already is. jimin has been known to steal the pairs jaekyung wears most often.

( the accessories )

jaekyung is known to go for more of a minimalist approach when it comes to his accessories. more often than not, they’re an afterthought as opposed to a necessity so he only has a select few items in his collection.

his favourite is probably his crossbody bag because it’s convenient and tends to elevate his usual outfits. although the other members will often want to store away their own little knickknacks in his bag which is the inconvenient part.

many of his branded accessories are also actually gifts from companies that wish to persuade jaekyung to become a brand ambassador for them. some of the big names include gucci, celine, hermès and armani.

he’s terrible at knowing where he last stashed his latest accessory. a lot of the time they’re lying around the house and lost for months before he comes across them randomly on a good winter day.