#ays2

Thanks to @stopkmkmpls.

Gotta say I'm not buying the birdie sounds covering up JM cussing either. It's either smooching (another lip smacking sound during a live comes to mind) or a reminder of the cameras filming, lol.

I would go so far to say that this whole story kinda reminds me of the "JK wouldn't put me down so I bit his neck" story...

Jikook are lovers your honnor.

Lo-vers.

All I see is love.

However they define their relationship (if they even do) it's like. Yeah. Yep!

They love each other SO MUCH.

And it's not even based on a list of things that make me say so.

It's like their energy. The way they move. The pull that glues them together. It's the softness and the atmosphere and the comfort and the normalness. It oozes through the screen in a very palpable way.

I don't know am I crazy?????? Am I the only one sensing this energy? It's not even objective at all. I couldn't tell you "it's one thing" it's more based on vibes.

(Been a jikookers for 8 years but I'm still asking myself these questions xD constantly flip flopping in my head LMAO Thankfully that keeps me grounded.)

Anyway. AYS 2. It's like.....a wave of love exploding in your face through the screen and you can do nothing but take it silently and nod in your head in acknowledgement.

But this time the wave was so big it stunned me speechless for months so idk what to tell you.

They are lovers.

GOOD FOR THEM.

I rest my case and will try to get through the rest of the episodes without rolling my eyes every time Jungkook touches Jimin because couples are simply insufferable and I'm sooo single. Like leave me alone beautiful people in love 🤣

These are some of the loveliest photos we've had of Jimin and Jungkook in a long while. I can't overemphasise their significance as some of the most important photos we have of them too.

I do want to talk about the implications but first, their creation and reception:

Besides a few people who have been vocal about their dislike of style - too much editing in their view - it seems these photos were positively received or met with silence.

This is based my own experience. I keep to areas where the air isn't poisonous and I actively curate my socials. You, dear reader, may have a different experience. What your algorithm says about your engagement is none of my business :)

The silence is no surprise, our common or garden variety ARMYs are terrified of engaging with Jikook content. What is gratifying is that the antis and flat-earthers (besides those poor wretched souls who dwell in the depths and can't survive in sunlight) seem to realise they have no platform here. Nobody with any sense can call these photos fanservice. They also can't say Hybe is using Jimin and Jungkook to further an agenda.

Because these are not Hybe's photographs

Elle Japan is entirely responsible for and in control of the media they publish. Of course Jimin and Jungkook are (theoretically) briefed on the concept and and sign off on the end product but they don't contribute (theoretically) to it other than as the subjects. They just say yes or no to the options presented. Theoretically.

Remember also, that the photos sit alongside Elle's editorial (based on Hybe's press release obviously) and their AMA video.

This is all Elle's material

And the creative process to develop that material is important.

Theoretically, editorial staff pick an angle or a focus for the story they're telling, they can't cover every aspect. Along with that they decide a visual style for photos, if there are any - the mood, tone, composition and setting - and a shot list. All the details are carefully chosen to create a cohesive story.

The editor selects a team - photographer(s), stylists etc, and writer(s). These are also important here.

The photographer works off a brief that describes the concept and mood, shots required etc. Their job is to achieve the goals set out in their brief. You'll notice all these photos are carefully posed - there are no candid shot here. The editor know what they wanted and the photographer knew how to deliver it.

The result is photos that are bold, moody, and intimate.

Let's be real, these photos could never have come out of Hybe without an avalanche of criticism directed at the company as well as Jimin and Jungkook. It wouldn't matter what they called it or how they spun it, the collective fandoms, music industry, and news sites would have had a meltdown.

But Elle Magazine? No problem.

Elle is a top tier fashion and lifestyle magazine. They breathe discernment and sophistication. Their media is all class. They would never stoop to the vulgarity of fanservice, and who in their right mind would accuse them of such a thing?!

So yes, they can tell this story however they decide.

And that's exactly what they're doing. They're brazenly treading a line that nobody else has dared come close to. I don't even know if they're treading it. Seems like they've smudged that line into oblivion as they danced right over it.

You don't need to be a genius to see that Elle's photos have zero aesthetic or narrative link to the playful and candid travel adventure series they're meant to be promoting. None. Zip. An elegant nothing. They also have no similarity to the other promotional photos being used.

Spot the difference - challenge level: dodo

Compare Elle's photos to the content Hybe sent out in their PR pack - the content all the other news sites are using. Formally posed photos of two people in a studio vs candid photos of two people engaged in outdoor adventure activities.

It's not only the subject matter that's different. - These images are worlds apart in terms of message, mood, and intention. The only similarity is that the same two people are featured in both.

I hope you're focussed on intention, that's the important bit.

Let's discuss the Elle photos...

Show don't tell is so much easier in photos ;)

Elle's photos are exquisite. They're visually beautiful and convey a palpable honesty and intimacy between these two men. Leaning into each other, looking directly at the camera, they are present and conscious of one another and also of the viewer.

In more detail:

They're formal, posed portraits with very little to distract the viewer from the subject - the subject being Jimin &Jungkook. They both look directly at the camera in 3 of the 4 photos and their expressions are neither welcoming nor avoidant. They know you see them, and they see you too. They meet your eye, unflinching. I can't stress how significant this is, especially in the context of what these phots are and how they've been published.

No props, no significant furnishings, no backdrop. No fancy lighting, no accessories, very little make-up. Just them. Unmistakably, these photos are about them and them only.

They're touching - not just a shoulder or an arm, but with a significant portion of their bodies - in every photo. Their heads are close together too. Both of those are characteristic of intimacy.

The studio is black and white. Their clothes are black and white. Even their hair is essentially black and white. Remember that every choice is intentional. The photos themselves aren't black and white but they've chosen black and white as a visual theme. And usually when something is referred to as black and white, that means it's unequivocal. It's clear. It's unmistakable.

It's there in black and white.

Don't forget that they're essentially dressed identically too. That's a couple thing and it's taken seriously in Korea.

Even though these are more subtle than most couple photos (by necessity if nothing else) there's no doubt that 's what they are. No debate a all from where I stand.

As I mentioned earlier, Jimin and Jungkook would have signed off on both the concept and the resulting photographs. They knew what they were doing.

But why have they done this?

Let's start with the obvious:

Usually when two people have studio portraits like these taken, it's to announce or celebrate their relationship or a significant milestone - engagement, wedding, or anniversary.

As far as we know, they aren't married or getting married. So that leaves 'announce or celebrate their relationship'. If it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, it's probably a duck right? Occam's razor and all that.

But what's the broader intention? Why publish them? Why now?

It's always more helpful to ask a specific question, so here it is:

Why is one magazine creating a dramatically different narrative alongside their editorial, and publishing formal studio portraits of Jimin and Jungkook when all the others are using the supplied PR photos?

We've established that it's not accidental or coincidental. All those involved are far too smart for that. They knew what they were doing.

My guess?

Show don't tell. Again. They've been showing us for years with candid photos, off the cuff comments, behaviour that can only mean one thing... but now they're saying it more formally.

Hence the formal portraits.

And that's why i said all the creative work was theoretically Elle's. Because i don't believe for a single second that Jimin and Jungkook were briefed. I believe they planned everything.

Whose aesthetic are these photos reflecting? I think we know.

This is the only way they could put these photos out into the world without them being shot down in flames. Like I said earlier, the backlash if these had been self published or had come out of Hybe would have been enormous. But published by an independent third party? Completely different. Not their responsibility. Plus they still have that handy plausible deniability up their sleeve. This isn't going to reflect on the group or on Hybe or on anyone else. It's just a magazine shoot, right?

Sure it is. Let's go with that.

And why now?

Perhaps because they've finished their military service.

And because they're about to be all over every ARMY's TV being cute and couply and undeniably in love with each other.

And because they aren't interfering with the comeback or distracting attention away from anyone's solo work.

There's no better time, really. It's a win for everyone!

Well it's a win for our lovebirds, and for their friends and families. And it's a win for us, their eternal supporters.

And frankly everyone else can go fuck themselves 😊😊

But he did get to do a little cleaning up when he was getting dressed. Yep. Got rid of those pesky cups. Didn’t make the bed, but that’s ok, the cups are gone, so no worries!

(Why so worried about the cups Jimin?)

My comfort show is back!!!!!!!!!!! Best bday present ever (my birthday is tomorrow and considering that I’ve been sick for several days and last year was the worst birthday ever) I am SCREAMING with excitement. I’m so so excited to watch these precious adorable humans go on adventures and eat delicious food and tell inside jokes.

Nothing will ruin this. No amount of solos, antis, or kpoppie noise will EVER touch the closeness that these two have and my admiration of it. I’m so so happy.

Happy early 33rd birthday to me 🥳