cathy-gabby

[cathy-gabby]

Thoughts are Thunking

November 1, 2024

It's October 31. The last day of the month; the last day of I’ll Be There tracking as well. For the past few days, there was a lot of in-fighting – Seokjin-biased fans vs ot7 for not supporting the song, Seokjin girlies amongst themselves for not standing up for Jin, for not doing much, blah blah blah. Now everyone has mellowed down and focused on working on last minute streaming and buying parties (and avoiding all the drama) to get Jin that Hot100 or BB200. (While writing this, Hourjinnie’s playlist is playing in the background. I am doing what little I can to help boost Jin’s pre-release song.)

I could write an entire thesis about the events of the last few days and why, even though it is heartbreaking, it is not at all surprising. But so much has been said and written I do not want to add anymore to the drama. I will just write my scrambled thoughts here lest I will combust. Besides, my tumblr is all for me, a repository of my delusions and distress. If, somehow, you have lost your way here, please leave quietly; you do not want to be at the receiving end of my scattered and unhinged thoughts.

I’ll Be There – 90s Baby

I cannot stop gushing about how I love IBT: the rock musicality of it, Jin’s rock voice that fits it to a T, the MV, the styling, everything. I feel transported to 90s MTV and early 2000s The OC and One Tree Hill. The MV itself is a story on its own. So many analyses have been posted on X about the meaning of the MV but this is the one that resonated most with me.

There was also another one that talks about how the MV is a reflection of BTS’s history but I could not find it anymore on X. In a nutshell, that analysis talks about how the MV starts with Jin singing with no audience (BTS as nugus), then the kids watching him amusedly (BTS with few fans), then the teenagers and people from all walks of life enjoying his song (BTS and their worldwide fans), and then at the end, just Jin singing and dancing alone  - that regardless of whether the fans are there or not, Jin (or BTS) will always “sing for you”.

Personally, the song is an ode to the halcyon days of my youth (gosh, I sound so pretentious using this phrase :-D) – being carefree and free, loved and in-love. That is why I love it so much.

Happy US, Happy Worldwide

With how the promotion is done for IBT and Jin’s upcoming schedules, one can safely assume that Happy will be heavily promoted in Japan and Korea. I have moots on X who lament on how his album promotion seems to be shortsighted when he could have easily followed JK’s path to worldwide pop phenomenon. Hah! In my humble opinion as a nugu, Scooter and Bang will never allow anyone to overshadow Golden. That company-paid article on Billboard proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Scooter and Bang believed themselves to be responsible for JK’s success. And with how Scooter’s position is precariously dependent on Hybe’s success in America, anyone getting nearly if not the same success as JK without Scooter’s hand will put into question his credibility. So, no, Jin and Happy will not get the same promotion and payola in the US and worldwide if he is not going to kiss Scooter’s and Bang’s dirty asses.

Superstar Jin, Debut Jin

Sometimes, I just wish Jin to be very selfish and bully his way into getting what he deserves now that he is in his solo era as a payback for the years and years of company mistreatment. But knowing Jin, he will never compromise his values and principles. For someone who believes that music can be enjoyed in honest ways, he is hauling his ass off doing all these promotions, nudging the fans to the right direction.  Tons and tons of unique POBs so fans will buy more albums. YT and TV contents so the gp will get to hear his songs. Highlighting diversified music platforms like Apple Music and Amazon because YT and Spotify are scammers!! Video calls. Hi-touch. Music showcases. Heck, I will not even be surprised if Jin will also be busking in Myeongdong or in the Han River like what Coldplay did in their promotion of Moon Music.

The way I see it, Jin sees himself as a debut solo singer introducing himself again and his music to his fans by doing all these promotions. Rather than having the fans edifying idols to superstardom through heavy promotion and pandering to fans’ sexual fantasies, Jin of BTS sheds off his superstar status and brings his real authentic self and his original music down to the level of the fans. He is not circumventing his way to success; he is immersing himself in the process, meeting fans and the gp along the way, without being overbearing and blatantly aggressive.

Wootteo is Jin, Jin is Wootteo

That is why he uses Wootteo to do the promotion for him. Rather than belligerently doing it himself, he hides behind Wootteo to promote TA, to say goodbye to the fans, to welcome himself back after military, and now to support Happy. Now, Wootteo (Jin) is a collaborator on the BTS IG channel, cross-posting photos from the plushie’s account, rather than from his own. He is and will forever be humble, modest, and unassuming, that we are left wondering if he is even aware of his own superstar status despite constantly claiming as such in jest. Besides, for those who want Jin to remove his clothes so people will buy his album and stream his songs, here is Wootteo showing off his rounded butt. The guy does not even have his clothes from head to toe – what else can you ask for? Conservative, my ass!

OT7 and Hybe

Yes, Jin is conservative. In an industry that is mired with scandals and dirty tactics, he remains highly principled and decent. How many times has he ended up in hot water with BH and Hybe for disregarding whatever narrative the company wants because it is against his own values? Jin does not want to be told. Period. He is not a puppet that blindly follows what the company wants. Obviously, he pays for it. Hard. The member with the least lines? with only few seconds of screen time? with no company support during ME bullying? with the most hardworking, loyal, but victimized fans? Yes, that’s Jin.

Do the fans do anything about it? Seokjinnies and Seokjin-biased armys would call out the company at the risk of being tagged a solo by the so-called fandom. How many Seokjin accounts were forced to go ia because of bullying and name-calling. Time and time again, the fandom purports the idea of ot7 but when it comes to Seokjin, they are deaf, mute, and blind. And yet, they would harshly lash out on anyone that calls out the company for mistreatment. With the way they defend the company, one wonders if they are really ot7 or hybe employees. The victimization of ot6 never stops but for them, Seokjin willingly chooses to have the least lines and screentime. Hah! Logic is never their strongest suit. They are simply spouting whatever narrative the company wants them to believe. They’re like the vermin of Hamlin, following the pied piper to their demise. Ironically, now that the company is in quagmire, the so-called ot7 are now calling Seokjin the number 1 company defender and most favored member. Well, how I wish that to be true so Jin gets the millions of payola and promotion that others get.

BH Favorites

Of course, we all know who are the company favorites. Hybe does not even pretend to hide it. Yet their fans would always claim that their fave is a victim of ugly mistreatment. Either they are truly not happy with how their fave’s career is handled or they are simply masking the blatant favoritism by changing the narrative. At the very least, each member has free reign of what and how to promote but the scale of the promotion is now up to the company. And with their favorites, the company pushed too hard for their promotion and blatant payola one wonders if they have already received their ROI.

Jin was and never will be the company’s favorite. Again, we go back to him doing his own thing without compromising his values. Unfortunately, in Korea, obedience is key and for the rest of the world, sex and flesh sell.

Running Wild

So Jin is doing it the long and honest way. I am running wild with nervousness for him. I want I’ll Be There to do well on the charts so that he will know that we are very excited and very happy for his album. I want him to be as successful, if not more successful than the rest of the members. He was waiting patiently for almost two years, letting his fellow members shine and supporting them along the way. It is now HIS TIME. And he has been working hard since discharge. For all HIS fans. I want him to feel and to know that he is loved by his fans by getting the accolades and success that he truly deserves. I want him to be HAPPY.

I will be HAPPY, too, yes, but I will be very anxious as well because I just really, really want him to get the desires of his heart for this album.

I just love him so, so much.

[cathy-gabby]

I AM HERE, JIN.

October 28, 2024

I have not posted anything since I'll Be There was released. I went thru a rollercoaster of emotions - from being super excited before the song's release to being very emotional and excitedly giddy when it came out 😍😍 The song is very rockjin coded; I love it so much and I love him more for it 🥳🥳

But my social media is awash with negativity - for people focusing so much on numbers, competing with the success of other members, questioning the fandom for lack of support. All these are in contrast of what Happy is and should be about. 😔 I am honestly sad because of this.

Jin himself said that there are many dishonest ways to success but it would be better if people enjoy music in honest ways (or something to this effect). Jin loves his songs & listens to them. He is happy with what is he is doing. Surely, he wants us to enjoy his music and be happy because of it.

So the past days, I only focus on streaming IBT, joining Stationhead parties, watching the videos, buying when I can, hyping positive posts, and SUPPORTING those who work hard for Jin. They do what they do all because they love Jin. Understandably, many are frustrated. I am, too. But for my own mental health, I mute words, phrases, and people who only spout negativity. I just want to be HAPPY. FOR JIN. And for me.

PS: When I feel a lot better, I will write a more upbeat post about I'll Be There, the song of the year. 🙏🙏

PS:PS: Happy 2 years to the Astronaut!

[cathy-gabby]

I’ll Be There, Jin

October 23, 2024 Wednesday

This piece of writing has been sitting in my drafts for several days now. It has gone through several revisions – from being very spiteful to being an absolute downer.  I just wanted to write something very HAPPY for Jin.  But I have to get some stuff off my chest.

This is Jin’s time to shine. And he has been shining so brightly even beyond the grasp of the fandom that left others in awe or in shock. His fans are amazed by what he has achieved and are excited for all the heights he can reach. One cannot help but think that he would have been the most popular member and would have been the most successful solo artist if his star had not been stumped repeatedly by the company which does not want him to outshine other members.

Hah! I sound like I am victimizing Jin.

But his fans who have been here from the very start could attest to their nerve-wracking fear during every group comeback – praying for at least more lines or more screentime for Jin. I was not here yet in 2020 but moots would remember it as hellish time for Jin and all of them – for Dynamite to be a global smash hit but Jin only had a few seconds of song lines and screentime. No wonder he felt imposter’s syndrome which could have triggered his depression. Watching YT contents from that time, I could see what people were talking about – of Jin barely interacting, talking only when asked, zoning out and gazing off into the distance. That was just one example, though. Please don’t get me started on My Universe. Or of how the company has successfully quashed his dream of becoming an actor. Or of how they never defended Jin from the bullying and social pressure for him to enlist even as early as 25-effing-years-old.

But Jin is past all that. All he needed was for all his efforts recognized by an unbiased entity like the military and for everyone to see what an achiever he is. All his successes and accolades in the military are a big fat F U to everyone who bullied him to enlist and those who thought he is a lightweight. And these have exceedingly boosted his confidence! Post-military Jin gets out of the military base guns-a-blazing with confidence and sexiness (without taking off his clothes, mind you!). His six global ambassadorships (and still counting!) are a huge slap on the face of those who mocked him for the Jin Ramen endorsement. Big brands like Kolon Sport and Mini Cooper sponsoring his Run Jin episodes show the trust that these companies have in his impact. When left on his own, without company manipulation, Jin shines like the superstar that he is.

Now Jin is about to release his own solo album. The others had their own time while Jin was enlisted. They had their effing time! (Sorry if I sound angry because I am.) When they enlisted, many fans also left and were on hiatus. Those who stayed are working to keep their biases relevant – holding streaming parties for their biases’ albums even while Super Tuna was newly released, spending huge amounts of money and time to defend a member’s reputation for a ‘scandal’ that has become more scandalous for being dragged for so long now and by giving the media and misanthropes more arsenal for hatred. (Don’t they realize that they are feeding their enemies’ ego by reacting? When will it end?  Of course, it is easier said than done. If it is Jin – heaven forbid – I would have done the same. So I get them.)

Admittedly, the fandom is divided and might have been dissipated. (There is no ot7!!! If there are, they are few and in-between.) So, what does it mean for Jin?

I truly admire the very hardworking Seokjin fanbases and Seokjin girlies who have been working their assess off to promote Jin – buying physicals, pre-saving songs, donating money, posting stickers and posters on the streets so more GPs around the world will know of his album and listen to his songs, and generally hyping anything and everything about him. Do I even have to ask for more from the company? Whether we like it or not, the company has favorites and they have not been subtle about it. Of course, it might have been something to do with the terms of their individual contracts. Only they know.

But Jin has been doubly working his ass off to promote himself, albeit in a subtle way. He starts off by promoting himself to the gp, joining gp-popular TV and YT shows, being an Olympic torchbearer, and attending the fashion show.  He knows his market; hence, the TV show appearances and HAPPY album events exclusive for Japan Jinland. He is very much aware of what makes his fans tick: the concept photos (blond Jin!!!!! Jin with guitar!!!!) are pandering to his fans, Run Jin episodes that make us all HAPPY, song collaborations with people from varied genres (rock Jin! pop Jin!). Jin is truly everywhere. I do not want to be in the shoes of his haters right now.

But I honestly do not care about them.

I am on a Jin-lockdown so nothing and no one can distract me from supporting my man. We have been waiting for all of these exclusive Jin contents for years, so nothing, absolutely NOTHING and NO ONE can burst our bubble of HAPPYness. Most importantly, Jin is very, very HAPPY with everything that he is doing. What better way to make him HAPPY-ier than to make sure that his songs and his album gain the greatest achievement and make everyone HAPPY.

So, on October 25, Friday, 2PM KST, I’ll be there and will be HAPPY from then on.

What about you?

[cathy-gabby]

Missing Jin Pt.2

September 8, 2024

Much has happened since June 13, 2024. The entire fandom and the general public, both Korean and international, have been talking non-stop about THE Kim Seokjin. From his discharge to the live broadcast to the meet and greet; from the Olympics torch bearing event to the FRED, GUCCI, and Visit Seoul campaigns; from the Run Jin episodes to the Korean and Japanese variety shows, and now the Netflix program – everyone is gushing about him. Almost everyday there is content about him, from him, and for him. I and the rest of the Seokjin stans are so well fed since his discharge.

Yet these seem not to be enough.

His fans are restless nowadays – the contents are not enough. Seokjin girlies are asking for updates FROM him – a live broadcast, maybe? An album update? Song snippet? Weverse post? Photo of his toe? ANYTHING. Just a real time update from him will satisfy these curious and insatiable Jin appetites.

Well, I am one of those girls.

From the moment I wake up to the time I lie down for sleep, I hopelessly crawl through social media, waiting for an update from him. A single update is not even enough. I want MORE OF HIM. But the more I read posts from people wanting the same (countdowns, in fact, are now being made since the day he has gone “missing”), I came to the realization that maybe we are too demanding? He has given us soooo much content – the guy has been filming nonstop since discharge our 2025 content is now even secured. That is on top of his album preparation, performance practices maybe, and upcoming BA activities. So for him to be “quiet and missing” is expected and understandable. To say that he is busy is a HUGE understatement. And for us to demand more of him is a disrespect to the time, creativity, and effort he has given for all the contents laid down for us now.

Checking into the timeline of his social media posts, he was very active during June and July when his contents were STILL being made.  Since Run Jin started, he has stopped posting. It might be because of the Suga thing. Maybe there are other reasons. But I choose to believe that since he has contents EVERY WEEK, he is by no means obligated to post regularly. He will post when he feels like it and when the time is right.

Of course, hype and support from the company and the so-called OT7 fans would have been huge. After all, he is the only ACTIVE member nowadays. As it is, Jin only has himself, his well-meaning industry friends, and active SJ fanbases to prop him up. But that is a post for another day.

For now, I would still continue checking for Jin updates every minute. I do not want to miss out on the KSJ1 announcement, or the next w-live, or just about anything Jin.

[cathy-gabby]

No More Dream

March 22, 2024

Boybands are essential members of the music industry. For a time, they would become trendy and come a dime a dozen; other times, one boyband defines a generation – from the Beatles to the Backstreet Boys. The music lives on for generations but sadly, boybands come and go. When one member becomes too greedy and decides he is too famous to be just a member of a group; or when a member thinks he could be more than just a back-up singer with a few lines and very limited screentime and tries his luck as a solo artist – the band disintegrates and nothing is ever the same.

The globally phenomenal business that is kpop thrives because it follows a time-tested formula. Personalities come first; music comes second. The center member gets most of the lines and screentime; all the other members have to prop him/her up, whether they like it or not. They all have distinct roles to play to make the fans happy regardless of their own preferences. The music is generally crappy – sometimes a HIT but mostly a MISS - but the stage performances are insane; the stage antics and fan services are cringey at best and bordering on abuse at worse but the fans are happy; and the members play out their roles and personas to the hilt even if they are fictional versions of themselves.

Take for example the different personalities BTS members have projected on screen and on stage. (Intro: Persona by RM)

Jin is ONLY handsome; he is lazy; he only games a lot; he is a princess; he is a scaredy-cat.

JHope is another scaredy-cat; his only role in the group is to laugh a lot.

Suga is a genius; he is savage; he does not speak a lot but does not mince with his words.

RM is the leader; he has a very high IQ; he is a great lyricist; he is the muscle guy; he is a workout junkie.

V is cute; he has his own world; he always checks the vibe.

Jimin is CUTIE. SEXY. LOVELY.

JK is the ultimate muscle guy; he is an adrenaline junkie; he is very competitive; he is manhood personified.

For years, members play out their roles as best they can but since they are only portraying a make-believe persona, cracks appear here and there and they unwittingly show bits and pieces of their real selves. How many times have we seen Jin show his highly calculating intelligent mind in all those Run BTS episodes; or of Suga being soft and kind while Jimin is being assertive and scary when angry. Sadly, business is business so the script and the roles remain; hence, staged personas are magnified to obscure these snippets. And the members do their part.

But the military – an entity all its own – bursts the rose-tinted bubble that shrouds the kpop members. In a snap, the makeup and the hairstyles are gone; the glitter and the glamour are matted by the reality that all men in Korea have to go through. Boys become men to defend the sovereignty of their country. There is no script, only reality. No More Dream.

And so Captain Korea Jin excels superiorly in the military. For someone who is supposed to be the lazy and cowardly princess, he advances in his military promotions like how he moves up in his game levels – with his physical and emotional strength, calculating strategy, highly intelligent mind, and deep empathy.

Jhope who was originally chosen to be BTS leader now commands an entire army of trainees – his leadership skills shine through. And it’s not a laughing matter.

V who seemed passively placid carves his own path in the Special Duty Team (SDT) of the Korean Army Military Police. His competitive self stands out and he is now truly in a world all his own.

Cutie sexy contemporary dancer Jimin is assigned in the artillery that “requires good knowledge in mathematics and physics, as well as good judgment.” And that is so sexy of him.

And of course there is RM.

Muscle guy slash workout junkie RM is in the military band.  Fans thought that his IG posts of himself exercising – sometimes half-nakedly sexy – were a prelude to what should be expected of him once he would enlist. But no. RM is a musician through and through. Whether he is in a state-of-the-art music studio or in the military field playing his saxiphone, his musical genius is serving.

And JK?

Ultimate muscle guy slash adrenaline junkie fiercely competitive Jungkook is in the kitchen. And he is very proud about it, he even posts it on weverse himself, confirming that he is cleaning and cooking in the military. Did I expect it? No. Am I surprised? No. Because JK has shown many times his domesticity – during Bon Voyage when he would do the laundry, during In the Soop when he would cook together with Jin, during his weverse lives when he would wash the plates, vacuum his place, wash and fold the laundry, and cook and share his recipes even in the wee hours of the morning. How many times has he opened his live only for his fans to watch him watch a youtube cooking tutorial? Did JK condition us for what he wanted to be while in the military? Maybe. Maybe not. But what is assuredly definite is that he is very happy with where he is right now. JK brings dignity and glamour to what would have been a thankless job (and butt of jokes for many). I am so proud and happy for him.

This, for me, is the real Chapter 2 of BTS. They have chosen, on their own, where they are most comfortable and the happiest. No script. Just serving.

People are complex; celebrities even more. Despite the hours and hours of footages in different platforms, whether staged or personal, we are only shown a glimpse of the complexity of their lives. We are only spectators, but hopefully without the rose-tinted glasses, so that we can truly see what THEY (not the company) want us to see.

PS. Yoongi is still Yoongi - off the grid but surely making wondrous music.

[cathy-gabby]

SNTY in 5D

January 27, 2024

I have always wanted to write my own speculation as to why JK and Jimin are in the 5th division. However, much has been written about it and both shippers and solos have had their field days trying to persuade others to accept their claims and hurling expletives to those who believe otherwise. If only for that, I am thankful that Jin, JK, and Jimin are far away from all these hullaballo in the circus. And I hope that they all are having a great time experiencing all these new things. I have always believed that JK would be with Jin during this military enlistment season. Even prior to enlistment, when the ax was still hanging on their heads (to enlist or not to enlist, to be exempted or not), especially on Jin’s, I always thought that Jinkook or all of them would enlist together.  When Jin’s enlistment was announced, I had hoped that JK would soon enlist, too. There were speculations that they would all enlist by age but I never believed them. I held on to what RM said that Jinkook could not live without each other.   True enough, JK was MIA during Jin’s 5-week basic training when no phones were allowed the entire time. In February 2023, when Jin finally graduated and given limited access to phone calls and phone usage, JK appeared for the first time and showed the world his vulnerability.   During those first few months, he would regularly appear on Weverse live, mostly in the middle of the night or early morning, sometimes drunk, other times sleepy and hungry, but mostly professing his undying love for Army, how he missed them so much because he had nothing else to do, no schedule, no activity. One has to read between and beyond the lines to know what was going on with him – sleeping for an entire day, not going out, not doing anything. Sounds like what Jin went through during BE promotions – losing appetite, not finding anything fun, and just sleeping for an entire day.  

Of course, fans were worried and claimed that the man was so used to a structured schedule and constant companionship of the other members that he was struggling with this new normal for them. Still, others were a little on track by saying that he missed his hyung so much, the member who took care of him since his early teenage years; that is why he was depressed.

Of course, the giant elephant in the room was not discussed: If he was in a committed relationship with anyone of his ships, why was he so depressed and inconsolable? Why was he losing himself for all the world to see, almost to the verge of self-destruction?

 When people say that we should believe only what the members say themselves and not the opinions of anyone, I personally feel that things are said and done for a calculated reason, whether to promote the album or the ship, to stir controversy, or to cover up something. No, I am not saying that they are liars or that they lie purposely – the truth is just masked or hidden between the lines. Besides, how many times has Jin been caught with his outrageous stories, all for the sake of fun? Just like how anyone who says they are okay does not necessarily mean that they are fully ok. So when members say something, I take it with a grain of salt. They are under contract, ffs, and live in a very homophobic country. Members are not free to just say anything they want, to reveal their relationships, nor to announce to the whole world their sexuality and preferences. Everyone should have known that.  

We also know that they are CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGED to release albums and participate in promotions, regardless of their emotional or mental well-being, BEFORE they could enlist (with the exception of Jin). So JK bending over backwards to accommodate all schedules and flights, jet-setting across continents and timezones without rest, singing and dancing until he is blue in the face, is him fulfilling his contract so he could enlist as soon as he can. Despite that, he still was able to film contents with Jimin for their upcoming documentary and continue having fun with Tae on social media (hello naked baldie taekook!).

But Jinkookers know that fate has always been on the side of JinKook.

Native Koreans would say that December is not a popular time to get enlisted because of the harsh winters in Korea (might be the very reason why Jin would only want to experience one winter in the military by hopefully enlisting in spring, but people and circumstances were not on his side that time). For the military to implement the companion soldier for December recruitment is their way of inviting more recruits at this time. Besides, the military being a separate entity with its own set of laws and regulations is perceived as a difficult experience for everyone; hence, a companion – brother, friend, neighbor – in the military would make the enlistment more bearable, and maybe memorable. And as an added benefit, companion soldiers are free to apply in the training center of their choice.  

This w-live was in September when the recruitment might have already been completed and Jin and JK already knew that he would be going to the 5th division.  

And hints were boldly and loudly announced.

The 5th Division is not the only division that accepts companion soldiers. It is a frontline division located in the coldest area in SK.

  JHope’s division also accepts companion soldiers and is much closer to Seoul. But V did not avail of the companion soldier because he has to train in Nonsan to apply for the special forces later. (Of course, shippers claimed that when you love someone, you will not stop them from achieving their dreams. Me talking to myself: If you love someone, you will want to be together in experiencing new things.) RM also did not apply for reasons known only to him. JK and Jimin as both coming from Busan and are members of the same group can and did apply as companion soldiers in the 5th division out of the many that are available for them. (Of course, shippers would say that they could not live without each other, and the company needs Jin to keep them in line. And they have to be so far from everyone so they could do whatever they want. Me talking to myself: Can’t JHope do that? Have they also forgotten that homosexuality is considered as a crime in SK and enlisters will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law when caught?) But of course, the 5th division has the most successful recent enlister: yeobo.  

I remember JK singing To Find You twice on his w-live in the middle of the day. That might be him telling everyone that he would find his way to be with Jin. And he did. Marvelously.  

So why Jimin?

 

 

Jimin has always been very vocal in his fondness for Jungkook.

 

Among all members, JK and V are closer in age and the fanservice in the early days were more of them playing and hopping around like little evil twin brothers. However, whether doing fanservice or just interacting, JK was more comfortable with Jimin than he was with Tae, even until now. It would not be surprising if he requested Jimin to join him as companion soldier so they could apply in the 5th division. JK is naturally close to all members; in fact, anyone among V, RM, and Jimin could have accompanied him.  But I have written this before: aside from JK, Jimin was the other member who seemed to be deeply affected by Jin’s absence. During the first few months of Jin’s enlistment, he would always mention him in his lives, played The Astronaut, and has never changed his profile pic even until now. I have always felt that Jimin has always looked up to Jin as an older brother. If he treats JK with fondness, he adores Jin with all his heart.

Jimin loves Jin; he loves JK, too. And JinKook loves Jimin. He has made it possible for JK to stand next to Jin seven days a week in 5D. After all, Jimin is a Jinkooker just like the rest of the members, just like the rest of us.  

As a Jinkooker, I am grateful to Jimin. Saranghamnida, Jimin-ah!            

[cathy-gabby]

Jin's Friends

January 11, 2024

Yesterday, the last episode of the BTS Documentary Beyond the Star was shown. I haven't yet watched the last 4 episodes but one of the clips uploaded on twt showed Jin hanging out with his childhood friends. Some assumed that they may also be the same friends whom he mentioned during his 2022 birthday live as playing games in the other room.

Watching the clips made me emotionally happy. Jin is infamous for talking a lot without sharing anything. In fact, out of the seven, he is the loudest yet the most private. He shares a lot of information but we really do not know anything about his personal life. So having his friends participate in a documentary, hang out with him with a camera in tow, means so much to everyone who loves Jin. This is a glimpse into the kind of life he has beyond the spotlight, showing himself as Kim Seokjin and not as Jin of BTS. The mere fact that he has remained friends with these people even after becoming a worldwide star goes to show that he has remained grounded, that he essentially might still be the same Seokjin that they know, or even a better version of his former self.

What amazes me even more is that for more than a decade or so of their friendship, no one has heard or read of these people flexing their connection for attention. They have never used him for clout. As Jin himself said, having this kind of friendship is rare in the industry that he is in. Many celebrities lost their old friends because they both could not handle the fame and the pressure. They gained new fleeting ones but most are purely transactional and even parasitic in nature. So for Jin to reveal his friends to the public for the first time and for his friends to agree to it, is such a huge deal, indeed - something unexpected for an introvert who values his privacy and his friends too much.

Some fans, however, are in a frenzy and could not accept that Jin has a life outside of BTS, away from the imagined relationships that they have created in their heads. Yes, BTS are very close friends who have experienced and done everything together as a group but they are also very distinct individuals, who have different interests and different friends. And this Chapter 2 has shown us the kind of persons that they are away from their company-prescribed personas. We are shown glimpses of the life they lead away from the members and not as BTS members.

But Jin's unique situation of being recruited by BigHit when he was 19 and debuted as a BTS member when he was 21 (3 months older than the next member, 2 years older than the leader, and 5 years older than the youngest) sets him apart from all the rest. Among the seven and especially compared to JK, Jin had spent his entire childhood and most of his adolescence as an ordinary individual, dealing and basking in normal experiences. He had a complete life before BTS, he is living a balanced life now, and I daresay he would have a fulfilling life after BTS. And he has friends (and family) who will stay with him along the way.

[cathy-gabby]

The Year That Was

January 2, 2023

I think I started this Tumbler account at the start of the year when Twitter started glitching in order to follow my Jin stan moots and keep up with their posts. Then I started posting daily my thoughts about Jin. But that soon came to an abrupt halt when life took over. 2023 was a meh year without Jin but we all survived missing him. There were still a lot of Jin contents albeit pre-recorded in the previous year; he posted some real-time contents and showed up in the news almost every week. His monthly messages are surely a genius creation to keep him in circulation and to assuage his fans who miss him a lot. And although I would have wanted to see him appear in military photos just like Hobi, I believe it is a conscious decision and a request on his part to be censored from these photos and posts of his colleagues. Just like how JK and Jimin have requested to exclude their images in the uploaded training photos.

Yes, JK and Jimin are in the 5th division with Jin. I am planning to write a separate post about my delulu thoughts on this. But my Jinkook heart is very happy that the two are together for 6 months before Jin gets discharged and that their separation is not 3 years but less.

The new year brings new promises of joy and happiness and 2024 is the year that Jin gets discharged from the military and will expectedly release his full-length album. In other words, 2024 is gonna be an amazing Jin year. That said, I cannot promise that I will be able to post regularly about Jin this year but I know I will not be able to contain my happiness; hence, I need to express them here.

So I guess, see you around. Photos: 1. Jin's Monthly Messages

2. Jin on Suchwita

3. Jin during Yoongi's Concert

[cathy-gabby]

Links:

December 7, 2023 Promises Broken

November 29, 2023 Birthday Week

March 18, 2023 Jin Wolf Agenda

March 17, 2023

March 16, 2023

March 15, 2023

March 14, 2023 Jinkook White Day

March 13, 2023

March 12, 2023 JinKook Arts

March 10, 2023 Coldplay x Wootteo

March 9, 2023 Jin x JK x Suga

March 8, 2023 JK

March 7, 2023 To Find You. Again.

March 5, 2023 Best non-Jinkook Fics

March 4, 2023 Jin x Jimin x Jhope

March 3, 2023 2seok Parallels

March 2, 2023 Happy Birthday, Chris!

March 1, 2023 Pre-debut Jinkook

February 28, 2023 JK to Find You

February 27, 2023

February 26, 2023 Hobi Enlistment/My Lovely 2seok

February 25, 2023 Jin x Chris Martin

February 24, 2023 Jin Photos

February 23, 2023 Jin Ramen

February 22, 2023 Jinkook Hugs

February 21, 2023 Final Run BTS

February 20, 2023 Wootteo

February 19, 2023 Jinkook and Performances

February 18, 2023 Jin x Hobi

February 17, 2023 Missing Jinkook Hours

February 16, 2023

February 15, 2023 Jinkook Trending

February 14, 2023 Happy Valentine, Jin

February 13, 2023 Seokjinnie vs Army

February 12, 2023 Jinkook AUs

February 11, 2023 Global Artist Award

February 10, 2023 Jin x Jimin

February 9, 2023

February 8, 2023

February 7, 2023 Captain Korea

February 6, 2023 Missing Jin Hours

February 5, 2023 Coldplay and Argentina

February 4, 2023 Jin's Hyungs

February 3, 2023 Jimin, JK, and Jin Ramen

February 2, 2023 A Fellow Seokjinnie

February 1, 2023 JK First Live

January 30, 2023 Jin Chilling

January 29, 2023 Jin Contents

January 28, 2023

January 27, 2023 Jin x Joon

January 26, 2023

January 25, 2023 Milestones

January 24, 2023 Jin x Tae

January 23, 2023 The Perilla Leaf

January 22, 2023 My Introduction to JinKook

January 21, 2023

January 20, 2023 Jin the Model

January 19, 2023 Ripped Off

January 18, 2023 Boot Camp Graduation

January 17, 2023 Achievements

January 16, 2023 Jin x Thom Browne

January 15, 2023 Leaked Photo

January 14, 2023 11,000 Days

January 13, 2023 A Month After

January 12, 2023

January 11, 2023 Jin in Vivienne Westwood

January 10, 2023

January 9, 2023 First Monthly Message

January 8, 2023 Argentina Bangtan Bomb 1

January 7, 2023 Resting

January 6, 2023 The Camp

January 5, 2023 JHope's Photos of Jin

January 4, 2023 Penultimate Run BTS Episode

January 3, 2023

January 2, 2023

January 1, 2023

December 31, 2022

December 30, 2022

December 29, 2022

December 28, 2022

December 27, 2022

December 26, 2022

December 25, 2022

December 24, 2022

December 23, 2022

December 22, 2022

December 21, 2022

December 20, 2022

December 19, 2022

December 18, 2022

December 17, 2022

December 16, 2022

December 15, 2022 The BB that Made Everyone Cry

December 14, 2022 What Jin Ate

December 13, 2022 The Day the World Turns Grey

November 24, 2022 Mask-fishing

November 23, 2022 An Introduction

[cathy-gabby]

D-188 Promises Broken

December 7, 2023

Yes, I have not been able to keep my promise; but unlike last time when it took me months (since March of my last post) to return here and blog, it's only been 8 days since my latest post. And in that span of time, so many things have happened in Jin and Seokjinnie land that are now immortalized on social media and in the hallowed walls of every Seokjinnie's memory.

The Jin birthday events were all unprecedented and went down in k-pop and fandom history as the first and biggest fandom organized events.

2. Jin's birthday thank-you message on Weverse and December monthly video were posted back-to-back at around 6PM K-time on December 4.

3. Jin is now a sergeant, getting his early promotion months in advance. This accomplishment is in fact very rare as only very few, not even idols, get early promotion twice. As it is, Jin's next promotion is that of a civilian.

Exciting times, indeed. Come to think it, all of these happened on December 4.

As cliche as it may sound, but it is true what they say, like idol, like fans. Most Seokjinnies are professionals and do not engage in petty fights and fandom war ( I would like to think so). They are inspired by their idol who in turn is inspired to be more creative because of his fans. I would like to be a true-blue Seokjinnie and be like my idol and his fans.

When you love someone, you have to go all-out in showing that love and make the person feel special even if he is not physically present to experience it.

When you feel loved, you should not hesitate to thank the people who show their care for you. Sticks and stones may hurt you but the people who really love you are in the palm of your hand; they may be few compared to the others but they are precious and more than enough.

'Only you should know how much you work' Iconic words! I wish I could live by his words but sadly, I do not even try. I do not even know if there is still something I could try. (Maybe mastering Korean before Jin returns? But what will that do to me personally and professionally? I really do not know.)

Anyway, belated happy birthday again, my dear Jin. I will reserve my scattered introspective thoughts in my next post or maybe never.

[cathy-gabby]

March 18, 2023

D-452

I am currently reading an AU of alpha wolf Jin and his human mate JK.

Which reminds me that out of the many nicknames for Jin: alpacaJin, hamsterJin, wolfJin, it's the latter that I really like. I mean, just look at these photos.

[cathy-gabby]

March 13, 2023

D-457

Jin's relevance and popularity is really unparalleled. Imagine, being away in MS for 3 months now with no social media presence and yet he ranks the highest among male Kpop singers and second among all male singers in the US and in the world.

Jin, your fame is truly organic.

[cathy-gabby]

March 12, 2023 Sunday

D-458

I have always loved fanarts, especially Jin and JK fanarts. But these latest artworks are so damn realistic I cannot help but wonder if the artists know Jinkook personally.

Here's wishing the situations reflected here do happen in real life. How cute would that be.

[cathy-gabby]

March 10, 2023

D-459

The Coldplay concert tour for this year starts in Brazil today. And guess who makes anther surprise appearance.

Thank you, Chris Martin and Coldplay for keeping Jin relevant, in your own ways.

Might Jin make a surprise appearance in their new album? After all, the album title is Music from the Moon. hmmmm!

[cathy-gabby]

March 9, 2023 Thursday

D-460

It's Yoongi's birthday!

And guess who came home to greet his self-appointed eternal roommate and soulmate? Jin! Greeting Yoongi. Via Weverse. On JK's post.

Baby JK was not given attention by his Suga hyung, so Jin has to give JK the attention he deserves.

I don't wanna overthink this for now. But I have my own theories on this. A detailed post and longer time are needed, though.

So for now, happy birthday suga! And welcome Jin.

[cathy-gabby]

March 8, 2023 Wednesday

D-461

I forgot to mention yesterday how happy JK looked during the live. It was perhaps the shortest live he has ever done, less than an hour or so, but he looked radiant, blooming, and upbeat.

Here's happy Jk in all his glory in all eras.

[cathy-gabby]

March 5 and 6, 2023 Sunday and Monday

D-464-463

I have written this before - I prefer reading fics than watching videos. So my way of de-stressing is by reading my favorite ship (yes, from John Grisham to Tom Clancy to any other award-winning author, I have fallen down the rabbit hole of shipping).

I honestly do not have any interest in any other ship. I find them cringey because there is no semblance of truth or reality to any of the made-up scenarios. Hence, all my Au bookmarks and subscriptions are about JinKook. No surprise there - my all time favorite authors are jinkook writers.

Yet now, joining them in the high echelon is smiles.

One my tweeter moots raved senseless about how A Gilded World and Stars Lost in the Sea are the best AUs ever written and how, despite, reading them several times in the past year, the same heartfelt emotions would well up. Curiosity got the better of me and downloaded Stars Lost in the Sea on my phone. Of course, being a yoonjin fic, it stayed on my phone for several months unopened.

Yet when I had to keep regular dental check-ups and wait for hours, this yoonjin fic kep me company. And oh boy, what a revelation this fic was. The words flow seamlessly from one line to the next, vivid descriptions flying off the pages in vibrant images, I had no choice but get hooked against my will, trapped in the magical world created by the writer.

This fic is just so, so, good, I have no words to describe it.

This leads me to A Gilded World, hailed by BTS AU fans as one, if not the best, BTS au ever written. Well, should I disagree? In more than a year of reading ffs, this is the first story I came across that had more than 700 thousand hits, several hundred thousands more than the best jinkook au I have come across with.

So, yes, I am a yoonjinist in this yoonjin world by smiles. If only he/she would be writing new ones, or have jinkook main characters? That would be the end of me.

PS: I got confused with the dates. Rather than deleting this, I will just have a double date in one post.