I’m very neutral to HYBE and have said so in the past. I’ve also said that they’re as bad as any mega corporation would be (in the sense that they’ll always aim for most profit), but they would be stupid beyond belief to think they could undermine any of the members and/or jeopardize any of their solo endeavors at this point in their career. I think I also mentioned previously that I felt BTS would renew and, if anything, their contract might be shorter this time around. There was a short period where PJMs, JJKs, and KTHs—the intense fans of these three will always be the most collectively annoying and arrogant, I swear—flooded my inbox, and I kept mum because I knew I’d be talking in circles with those people.

Well, here we are. Not going to lie, it’s schadenfreude for me.

The only people who will complain about this and will be justifying their faves’ choice to renew because they’re somehow under duress are solos/akgaes.

Unrelated but related observation:

I rest my case. For those that say Jimin doesn’t receive the same affection in return—he does, by Taehyung. That’s that soulmate label on lock.

(I’m obviously not referring to hugs that are jokey, playful, or posing for a photo; I’m referring to the deeply sentimental kind.)

I dismiss about 90% of popular Jikook moments (according to shippers). Probably more than that. There are actually very few of them that stand out like a neon sign to me. Even if these few moments aren’t 100% verifiable, there is usually some indication in existence to suggest why they would be at least questionable to me, and with video evidence to work with. Namely (in no particular order):

• MMA 2018

• Star Naver Cast 6/12/15

• Jimin’s 2021 birthday Vlive

• Jungkook’s Jimin-centric lives

• Jungkook not even trying to win in Hawaii

• That one episode that I can’t remember where they walk into Jungkook’s room

There are some other ones, I’m sure, but not ones I can recall off the top of my head.

I don’t believe these mean they’re together, but the aforementioned list generally hints at a type of fondness in their bond that I don’t see as often in their relationships with the other members.

Too much conspiracy theorizing with the Jimin vs. Jungkook discourse. Too many people have a weird victim boner for their bias, pointing fingers at external entities to fuel it.

The (American—which I can only speak to) music industry is manipulative, sure, but not in the way everyone seems to think. If you think what’s allegedly happening now is “bad,” you’re not going to be happy when BTS decide to permanently pursue solo endeavors (not saying this is happening right away or that I know when, but important eyes are watching/waiting for this).

I can say right now—at least according to present expectations, which is always subject to change as years go by—the members will not be treated equally. Not all of them are commercially marketable.* They have the power of ARMY behind them to ensure each of them have success, but if you’re not what the AMI is looking for, minimum support will be allocated to you.

* I literally heard a shareholder say they thought one of the members was too “indie.” That’s how out of touch these people are, but do they care? No. It’s about what they perceive as successful. (This isn’t even the worse I’ve heard, and it was just casual conversation).

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And ALSO, Jkkrs hardcore sexualizing a relationship that can only be speculated upon is actually the most insane and weird ass shit I’ve seen—and this community is giving those people a free pass to say unironically unhinged bullshit.

Honestly? It’s gross.

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