Something that has always been a little off to me is the way that JM and JK talk about each other and their bond. I understand that there’s a language barrier (some things get lost in translation) and there’s an added barrier of PR training, but sometimes when they talk about each other, it’s like they don’t really talk to each other all that much.
Particularly JM. I think there are multiple examples but since we’re mostly talking about them becoming less close recently, I go back to AYS2 when JM said something like: “I’m really enjoying this trip and having a great time. I really needed this to feel like myself again. I don’t know if JK feels the same way but I hope he does. If he doesn’t then I hope he’s at least enjoying the trip too.” I’m paraphrasing but that was basically it.
It just stuck out to me as an odd thing to say. Obviously when you travel with someone, you can’t control how they feel about the experience but you want them to have a good time. I think what struck me was that JM was having a very personally fulfilling time and pointed out that he clearly wasn’t sure if it was personally fulfilling or even all that enjoyable for JK. It was clear to the audience that JK was having a great time and he even said so himself many times during the season, but JM was still not sure.
I think the perception that JM carries a lot of the emotional weight in BTS is correct. I think it’s a shame that his members aren’t the kind of friends that reciprocate that and allow him to lean on them emotionally too. I think that Jikook shippers see them as having a mutually fulfilling, long-term, committed and exclusive romantic relationship, but that just doesn’t seem to be the case. I think JM is there for JK emotionally but JK is not there for JM emotionally.
I also don’t think it’s bad to acknowledge that JK does not exactly present himself as emotionally mature these days. He does and says things that seem irresponsible, reckless, and immature. In the past, he presented himself as much more grounded, sensitive, and introspective. Whether that was true or not, I think it’s safe to say that his public image has changed based on his recent actions, and I can’t help but wonder if that disconnect in emotionality and maturity has led JM and JK to drift apart.
I don't know if that's the only reason, but I do think Jimin has always been careful about speaking for other people. He usually lets people express their own feelings instead of assuming he knows exactly what they're thinking, so I don't find it strange that he said he wasn't sure how meaningful the trip was for Jungkook.
It's possible that they don't always have deep conversations about their feelings, but I don't think we can automatically come to that conclusion based on one comment. Some people can be close and still not openly talk about everything they feel.
I do think Jimin is very emotionally mature and someone who puts a lot of care into the people around him. He's naturally thoughtful and attentive. Jungkook has always had a different way of expressing himself, and maybe they don't always approach emotions in the same way. That doesn't mean Jungkook doesn't care, but I do think that when two people process emotions and communicate very differently, it can sometimes create distance over time. It doesn't mean there is no affection between them, but being on different emotional wavelengths can affect any relationship.
