BTS member Jungkook has come under fire following a live broadcast he conducted while intoxicated, ahead of the group's full comeback. During the session, he admitted to smoking, mentioned his agency, and used profanity, sparking concern among fans and criticism online.
On the morning of the 26th, Jungkook hosted a live broadcast on the fan communication platform Weverse for about an hour and a half. Appearing inebriated, he candidly shared, "I'm just a person too, and I wanted to be comfortable." He openly discussed his past smoking habits, stating, "I smoked a lot but worked hard to quit. I'm thirty, why can't I talk about this?" He added, "The moment I say this, the company might go crazy," which was interpreted as a jab at his agency.
During the broadcast, Jungkook was seen making obscene gestures and using profanity towards acquaintances. He used harsh expressions like "sh*t" and was caught on camera flipping the bird at someone. He also looked into the camera and shouted the English expletive "F***" before laughing.
When some fans suggested he end the broadcast, he responded, "Why are you telling me to stop? Don't tell me what to do," further fueling the controversy. However, he emphasized, "If I've done something wrong, I want to acknowledge it. I wanted to be honest with ARMY."
Jungkook also confessed to feeling pressure regarding his music career. "I love singing, but I listen because I don't want to fall behind," he admitted, expressing his stress, and added, "I just want to have fun." After the broadcast, he left a message saying, "I'll work hard when we come back. I love you."
BTS is set to release their fifth studio album 'ARIRANG' on the 20th of next month and will embark on a world tour starting in April at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium, covering 34 cities with 82 shows. This live broadcast has drawn significant attention as it comes just before their full group activities.
Meanwhile, Jungkook was previously embroiled in dating rumors with aespa member Winter last December. Reports surfaced of him visiting a concert venue during his military leave, and speculation about couple items spread, but neither agency has issued an official statement. Unlike previous dating rumors, which were denied, the silence has led to various interpretations.
Fans are divided over the broadcast, with some appreciating his honesty and others criticizing the drunken broadcast and use of profanity as reckless. Some speculate that the recent dating rumors and the pressure of preparing for the full group album may have contributed to his behavior.
Reported by Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr