On June 13, after completing his required military service, BTS’s Jin hosted a special gathering for his supporters known as ARMY. The ceremony took place in Seoul’s Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium, where Jin gave away 1,000 free hugs. Many people appreciated this sweet act, but it didn’t come without problems. During the event, a few admirers attempted to kiss Jin, causing controversy and outrage among other attendees.
The free hug event was intended to be a kind gesture from Jin to his supporters, expressing his gratitude for their support throughout his time in the military. Most of the supporters who came to the event followed the rules, hugged Jin, and immediately left. Some fans went too far, however, and attempted to kiss him on the cheek. This behavior was captured on camera and immediately shared online, generating a commotion among the fan base.
The Fans Identified
On June 14, it was reported that the two fans attempting to kiss Jin were Japanese. A Korean netizen discovered stories in Japanese media outlets that identified the two fans. One of them was a popular blogger in Japan. This blogger apparently stated that Jin’s skin was “very soft and smooth,” which added to the controversy.
Netizens Reaction
The news that the fans were Japanese sparked an outpouring of comments from Japanese netizens. Many people expressed embarrassment and anger about the situation. One netizen wrote, “I saw the video of Jin’s event, which made me angry… They kissed Jin! They were Japanese! They are an embarrassment to Japan. I’m very mad. I also wish to go to Korea!”
Another netizen said, “The person who kissed Jin on the neck is Japanese.” What are their thoughts? “They must be dumb.” There were also comments pointing out that the two fans dressed similarly and appeared to be the same person, which originally confused their identities.
The incident at Jin’s free hug event underlined the need of maintaining personal boundaries, especially during moments of fan frenzy. While most fans praised Jin’s efforts, a handful received harsh criticism. The identification of the fans as Japanese outraged Korean and Japanese netizens. Despite the incident, Jin’s event remains a highlight for many ARMY members, who value the opportunity to interact with their idol.
