BTS Members' Romance Rumors: A Sasaeng's Perspective
It’s a bold step, but as a former member of a sasaeng group, I’m here to shed some light on the inner workings of these communities and the rumors that surround BTS members. This isn’t an attempt to spread any harmful information, but rather to share my experiences in a safe, anonymized manner. Since no one else has taken this step, I hope to provide some clarity to anyone curious about the matter.
Triggers and Disturbing Content Warning
This article contains disturbing content that may be triggering for some readers. Please proceed with caution and ensure your mental well-being during the reading process.
A Personal Journey into BTS Fan Communities
For many years, I grew up in a wealthy, multi-language household in America, where my parents were born in Korea. My fluency in Korean didn’t just come from language lessons; it was a binding element of our family’s cultural heritage. Every summer, we would return to Korea to reconnect with our roots, a precious tradition that enriched my understanding of the Korean language and culture.
Meeting the Sasaengs
Two summers ago, during one of these family visits, I met an older girl from our church. Our relationship grew rapidly, and I started spending a significant amount of money on her, as my allowance was only 10,000 won per month. This sum represents around 12 million won, which I gladly gave to her, for her, thinking it would make her happy. To my surprise, she harbored a different agenda. She was intrigued by the world of BTS and introduced me to a group of sasaengs who sold information about the members.
The Burden of Trust
To my surprise, this group of sasaengs was willing to sell me information about BTS members, including their dating lives, for a hefty fee. The membership fee was around 70 million won, and I quickly added them to a group chat. Despite the hefty sum, I had no qualms about sharing my hard-earned money with this group, thinking it would be an entertaining and harmless pursuit.
Inside Information and Early Warnings
The group consisted of saesangs who were extremely cautious about who they talked to. They were wary of me at first, but soon warmed up to me after realizing that I had paid them. They were also curious about my American accent and background. When the topic of BTS came up, they delved into the members' personal lives and started sharing rumors about relationships, dating, and more.
Rumors and Speculations
The information they shared was mostly speculative, revolved around a few members, and involved personal relationships. Some of the most talked-about members were Jimin, Yoongi, Taehyung, Jungkook, Namjoon, Seokjin, and Hoseok.
Gay Rumors: There were circulating rumors of gay relationships, including a rumored FWB (Friend with Benefits) arrangement between Jimin and Yoongi during tours. A trusted confidant of the sasaeng group claimed to have witnessed Jimin being "fingered" by Yoongi after a show.
Industry Rumors: Another rumor involved an incident during a dance practice where Jimin was limping. A choreographer in the group emotionally humiliated both Jimin and Yoongi with homophobic slurs, a situation that led to the inevitable firing of the choreographer. They also hinted that Taehyung and Jungkook had a close friendship that was damaged by shipping conjectures.
Living Arrangements: Members did not usually live together, but shared an apartment for convenience during important tours and events. Hoseok, a member of GFRIEND, reportedly had a relationship with a member of GFRIEND, but the rumor was confirmed through short phone audio recordings.
Personal Details: Namjoon was said to be the most open-minded member, while Jungkook grew out his hair, got tattoos, and piercings, and started working out to avoid infantilization. Seokjin was said to be in a serious relationship, often irritated by pushy girls, and parted ways with his GFriend member as they no longer met.
Outcomes and Reflections
The information I received was disturbing and I witnessed firsthand how pervasive and invasive this world could be. The way the sasaengs obtained and shared this information was deeply unethical, and I felt deeply uncomfortable participating in such conduct. Eventually, I left the group chat, but the experiences continued to haunt me. Being addicted to their information and the constant questioning of my purchases and involvement led to significant anxiety and distress.
It is crucial to recognize that much of this information is speculative and not verified. While some of the information was backed by solid proof, such as video footage and eyewitness accounts, the majority of it remains rumors and unverified speculations. It highlights the importance of critical thinking and the need for transparency in fan communities.
Conclusion
This experience has left me with a mixed bag of emotions. I am wary of the deep dive into personal lives and the intense scrutiny of the members of BTS. It’s a stark reminder of the impact of fan enthusiasm and the blurred line between support and invasion of privacy.
As someone who has experienced firsthand the sasaeng community, I hope this article provides some clarity to those who are interested in the inner workings of these communities. It’s a world that requires careful navigation and a reaffirmation of the importance of respecting privacy and integrity.