Trying not to look...but it's not easy

Jin's military enlistment should not be for entertainment. It's serious stuff, thanks to the situation with SK's neighbor to the North.

So apparently there is a website/app designed for the family/friends of deployed South Korean military members to keep in touch. The military posts general photos, and messages can be sent to individual personnel. Sounds like a nice idea to keep connected during a stressful time.

Except, and you know where this is going, if you are somebody who needs to cyber-stalk Jin of BTS during the first weeks of his Army enlistment. Jin is in week 3 of his boot camp, and the military has been uploading photos of his platoon’s training activities. These photos are supposed to be for the families and friends, but weasels are gonna weasel, and they’re out in the socials for traffic. I get why people want to look. We’re curious to see how WWH is transitioning from being a video gamer to a soldier. (Being sarcastic here - I know Jin has worked his ASS off for years. Play your games and make your bathtub soju. It’s all good.)

I have seen some of the first photos too, but it didn’t sit right. His life, his private life as a Korean citizen doing a civic duty, really is none of my damned business. The military is no joke. They are preparing for anything, and everything, from North Korea. Hell, maybe China. That area of the world is peaceful-but-shaky. North Korea is firing off missles. South Korea is sounding more aggressive to the threats.

So Jin’s training is real. I am sure they’re not going easy on him, and I know his goofy ways of making jokes to put all at ease has been toned down a lot. We are far from the days of onesies for Muster.

There is nothing remarkable about what Jin is doing. Most Korean men have done the same. Difference being, much like the past 10 years, elements of the media and public need to constantly strip the humanity and privacy from BTS as the price of their fame. (Case #4002: Joon being recently sold out by the monk at the Mount Jirisan temple, who squealed a lot to the media about a private visit. Dude. Let me mix my religious metaphors to throw down 30 pieces of silver as a donation to the monk and his joint.)

I think this uncharted Chapter 2 of BTS means reclaiming some of the things they lost; like their individuality, or things they didn’t get; like time to breathe. And of course, doing that military service thing. The time Jin is spending learning how to be a solider is real, and is not a very special edition of Run BTS. He is not the spy. He is not going to win all the gift certificates to the mall because he hoodwinked his friends for a TV game.

So if you’re needing to see these photos of Jin, which are not meant for you unless you are friends/family, ask yourself why. Is it pure curiosity? Are you worried about him and want to make sure he is OK? Or is it just another facet of his life that has been claimed by the public/media for entertainment?

Not judging those who want to see the photos. Just check in with yourself and as why this matters to you. For me, I’m going to let him do this thing in peace and respect, and not give the bottom feeders the clicks they want.

And please follow BIGHIT’s advice, and don’t be the weirdo that makes life worse for all the other soliders.