#bangtan7

The organized project, dispersed throughout social media and in private communications, not only put a target on BTS's back, but it also instructed competing fan groups, or just the general public, exactly how they could unite in force to tear down anything BTS attempted. It really is a hateful way to use energy.

Instead of using their energy to focus on their own groups to help them rise and conquer. They expended their energy trying to destroy BTS. And boy, did it backfire - OR maybe it worked exactly as the poorly devised plan should have. With their energy off of their own groups and on BTS, BTS kept thriving. In comparison, their groups kept declining in achievement and relevance, which caused the targeted hate to escalate.

The relentless hate caused BTS to choose to turn toward each other in closer unity and to work even harder. Their performances were innovative and astonishing. Their plans were intricate and well-designed. They got more and more attention. They won more and more awards, and they broke through more and more barriers. Their achievements have far surpassed anything Kpop had or has ever achieved, even now reaching into the Western market and opening the doors for others to follow. Their records are historic and exceptional.

Surprisingly, now in 2025, the hate against BTS still has not subsided. They have earned more respect, even if begrudgingly, but the industry, competing fans, and the media still attempt to minimize BTS's achievements and mere presence at times. After all of the economic, cultural, and political gains BTS has made for Korea, Kpop, and Asia, there is still animosity and overall jealousy and contempt for them. And what's worse is that I can't figure out anything BTS did to earn this reaction - except to exist and succeed.

SO WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH JIMIN?

Well, if you read the strategy of the Break Wings project shown above, the tactics sound very much like the organized actions that have been used against Jimin for years. And what is really shocking to me is that as I became more involved in the fandom, I realized it was coming not from people outside of the fandom but literally from within the same OT7 ("We love all 7 members.") fandom that I had once read took on abusers and foes of BTS, in unison. I was so impressed in reading how the fandom had unified to become such a productive force for BTS. BTS always spoke of this fandom with such pride and love because they appreciated all that the fandom did while they were struggling to survive.

I shake my head as I write.

I will admit that I realize that the Break Wings project included a plan to infiltrate BTS's ARMY fandom and to pretend to be them and start trouble and create strife in different places, including within the fandom. I do now believe that some of what is happening to Jimin is because of outside forces pretending to be BTS fans. HOWEVER, where is that protective, loving, united force I had once read about? Why are they not unifying to protect all of their members EQUALLY? Why are they silent when any one of their 7 is being attacked - and with death threats!!! Where are they when family members of any member are being attacked? Where are they when support is being withheld to prevent any BTS member from achieving? EQUALLY!

Since I have been a part of the BTS scene, I have even seen the fandom do it for other members or at occasional times, but I noticed that it did not happen equally and for all members. Early on, I had asked my sister a few times, as I was watching material, why it appeared that Jimin was treated a bit differently. She never could explain. She still can't. I can't either.

I can only imagine that it's for the same reason BTS was targeted. Because he dared to exist and succeed.

The companies back then saw young BTS's grit, talent, and fight and were afraid. (Research current conversation about SM's plan against BTS's American Hustle Life appearance) Before they tried to destroy BTS, they first attempted to obtain them as their own. When that didn't work, they moved on to destruction. As much as people may hate BangPD for other things he has or has not done, he did not fold on BTS when money was tight, pressure was high, or circumstances seemed bleak. BTS did not fold, and Jimin did not fold. In fact, Jimin, like BTS, excelled and exceeded all expectations for him in the group and during this solo era.

Like with BTS, in spite of Jimin's contributions to the group and the attention they received because of him, the hate continues. Remember the forces were trying to tear down BTS. What better way than to tear down members one by one and start with the ones whose loss would change the dynamic, attention, or work of BTS?

This long overdue post is because Jimin has recently been nominated for an AMA, an AMERICAN Music Award (Favorite KPop Artist). Both of his solo albums were huge successes in America (U.S.), and his main track from his most current solo album just went quadruple (4X) platinum in the U.S. That same song, WHO, became the longest charting Kpop song ever on the AMERICAN Billboard Hot100 chart. Yet the "fans" are plotting to vote against him for this award. They are plotting to NOT vote for a BTS member to guarantee he loses to another nominated BTS member or, I suspect, to anyone else. I get the sense that they really don't want him to win again. Their idea is not to let the chips fall where they may but to intentionally plot his loss. I wish I could say this was the first time.

And worse, the plotters are trying to appear noble by using excuses that sound justifiable to those who may not think it through, so it seems like a reasonable consideration. "He's won enough awards." "He would want his bandmate to win instead of him." Wouldn't his bandmate also be happy for Jimin to win too? Has Jimin not earned his nomination and possible win - with receipts?

While the achievements in the U.S. are not comparable, Jimin's bandmate, RM, also deserves his nomination for his creative, alternative rap album, and people are free to vote for him too. My problem would not be RM winning legitimately. My problem is the organized plot to vote AGAINST Jimin - just like the Break Wings project. If these current people think they are in any way better than those who participated in that plot against BTS, they are wrong - and they are worse - especially if they actually believe themselves to be true BTS fans.

It is exhausting being Jimin's fan, and it's not because of Jimin. He actually makes it easy to love and support him and his work. It is because of BTS's fandom that really has disappointed me in some ways. These hateful "fans" do NOT represent the BTS members I have come to know. BTS would not condone or accept this as part of the message they have worked to present. They have loved and supported each other through all the turmoil. They worked tirelessly to cultivate this fandom and to succeed. The OT7 idea for this fandom, at this point, appears to be a myth.

All of the shipping divisiveness, hateful comments to BTS members and to other fans during Lives and on social media, organizing plots against BTS's own members, and the harassment of members' families are just distasteful demonstrations. This is just not the BTS way. At least that's what I thought.

Again, I shake my head.

Jimin's fans will continue to fight for him, using his attitude and efforts as models. It would be great to feel he was supported by the entire fandom, as all the members should be, but in honesty, I have seen too many situations where that does not seem to be true.

I am not a solo. I truly love and support all the guys. My support for Jimin does not include hating on the other members. I wish them all well and appreciate the work they do. (That doesn't mean I can't have honest thoughts about what they do or say, including Jimin.). However, I understand the feeling of solos - those who do not hate on or damage other members or the group - even if they don't actively support the other guys. It has been a tough journey watching from a Jimin supporter's point of view. The fandom can do better. It should do better - for all of the members.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

I am presently working on a post* where I explain that I feel it is time for BTS to address their fandom. It is out of hand, and it is costing them new fans, old fans, positive fan experiences, their reputation, and their legacy. If the problems are mostly from those outside of the fandom, the fans within should not allow this to be the atmosphere of this legendary group's fanbase. BTS should not be diminished by their own fandom by either actions of destruction or by inaction of allowing the destruction to remain unchecked.

*Shortened version of the my post I mentioned above: BTS should address their fandom.