Tae and Jennie dating rumors
Now this is a topic I have been a bit afraid to touch. But I have gotten several asks about it, and I do have thoughts about the subject. I don’t think this will be a very fun read, but even so I always strive to be as honest as I can and I don’t want to ignore it either. I think no matter what I say there will be some readers who will end up disappointed, but I hope this post at least explains my take properly and that you can understand my reasoning.
Edit. Forgot one ask I'll add it when I get to my computer next time. For now this is what it said:
the jennie and tae rumors are increasing and while i wish this would mean tkkers would be a little more quiet of course they’re going down the opposite path by approaching it like larrys to their s/os dear lord
First of all sorry for being silent, I started this post and then got covid for 3 weeks. I also think the fact that we simply get less content from BTS is going to mean less content from the fan creators to some extent as well.
To be frank, the easiest explanation for the rumors is that indeed Tae and Jennie are together. At this point there are just a lot of various photos of them together as well as photos from matching places (including the one of Tae on a bed that matches with Jennie’s pillows and covers you mentioned anon) and the timing of clothes they have worn and them being in the same places around the same time seem to indicate the realness of them. Of course the photos could be edited, but with even bruises on Tae’s legs matching it feels like there are too many details overlapping for all of them to be edited. On top of that we of course have the IG follow (accidental or not) from Tae, Tae going with Lisa to Paris and then going to New York at the same time as BP and being rumored to be at their listening party. Lastly we also have the silence from both companies.
Logically, the easiest explanation is usually the most likely one. That being said, of course Tae and Jennie being a couple is not the only option, I personally simply think it’s the easiest explanation for what we have seen and heard at this point. I am not going to dive deeply into each picture or analyze if it’s real or not, because honestly I rather simply speak about the possibilities of this being real or not and what each possibility could mean. I want to be open-minded, and especially as a Vmin shipper I don’t want to try to find reasons to believe or not believe. I’ll just wait and see.
A rumor is still a rumor and as of now it’s not yet confirmed, so while I think it’s possible I won’t say it’s definite.
For me it doesn’t matter much if it is true or not though, as long as Taehyung is happy. I am glad that we got the live interaction of Jimin and Taehyung because even though I have always been confident in Vmin’s bond no matter the type I do feel that it will remind other people that Vmin are as close (and even clingy) as ever.
(I mean, not only did Tae keep commenting and Jimin kept talking to him during the live, we also learned Jimin got the moon phases added to his first tattoo becuase of a fanart Tae showed him. Also Tae confirmed to look at Jimin fanart everyone.)
Basically regardless of the truth I remain of the opinion that Vmin is Vmin, and they love each other and are each other’s soulmates and that isn’t going to change even if they date other people.
Now I’ll talk through some of my personal reflections and reactions to the rumors, but mind you they are all over the place, because again, I don’t like to come to any definite conclusion when nothing is confirmed.
Honestly, I must say even just a BTS member dating a Black Pink member seems so unreal to me. Simply because of the odds of two members of the most popular groups in Kpop actually ending up together outside of fanfiction and fan theories seems so unlikely. Especially since this ship has been popular for years and they happen to be two of the most influential people in all of Kpop. Not that it means it can’t be real, it just seems so weird to happen after so many years of fans “wanting it”.
Admittedly Jennie is probably the BP member I have the least interest in, but somehow she and I must have similar tastes because at this point she has allegedly dated three of my ultimate biases; Kai (EXO), GD (Big Bang) and now Tae. I remember when the Kai and Jennie dating was revealed by Dispatch and I also remember wondering if it was a PR relationship, though I can’t really remember where that feeling came from besides from how short lived it was. I think maybe they were also doing promo for things around that time?
Anyways, the point is that with Kai and Jennie the rumor was confirmed (fairly quickly at that) even though they broke up shortly after, and while the agencies said they didn’t know they said they would look into it. (Though I think if Dispatch already had pictures likely the companies were informed before the photos got released.) (Some articles on it X and X). SM later confirmed, while I think YG stayed silent. So at least in this sense it could match up with their reaction to the Tae x Jennie rumors. But I still don’t understand why they wouldn’t confirm if it is real.
I also remember the private photos of Jennie and GD being spread and honestly I think Jennie must be pretty bad at keeping things secret at this point.
The one thing I will say about the pictures leaked of Tae and Jennie is that if this person who keeps leaking personal photos has so many photos then why are there not any decent ones showing both of the idols faces? I mean, if they take photos together without worrying then I would personally assume there should be some cute couple ones where their faces are very clear. But again, maybe this person is leaking these other photos for some reason, or maybe Tae and Jennie are careful enough to wear masks for couple photos but not careful enough to not take couple photos to begin with?
I am mostly saying this because it didn’t seem to apply with the private circulating photo of Jennie and G-dragon, though in it they don’t act like a couple you can very clearly see both of their faces.
Speaking of GD though, his behavior in this whole mess has also been a bit weird... Liking posts about him and Jennie as a couple? But also unfollowing people and commenting on weird things? Of course it could be fans making edits or something, but if it’s real it’s just another weird layer to it all. Either way G-dragon is also getting some media attention because of this rumor. (Article X)
I am no expert in Korean dating culture, nor in how celebrities and their companies handle rumors, but I do think it’s weird that we haven’t gotten any proper statements yet except “it’s difficult to confirm because it’s the artists’ personal lives” basically. When Dispatch is the one confirming I think they usually check in with the companies first, but in this situation all the pictures come from a random person who keeps leaking more and more photos. It’s odd that they simply let the person keep going, not to mention that most of the photos (if real) are obviously from the idol’s own personal phone (Jennie’s) which is a horrible breach of privacy that one would think they would do something about. Of course they might be doing something behind closed doors, but nonetheless it has been going on for a long time now with new photos or rumors every other day.
For me I don’t understand why the companies would let it continue on like this with more and more photos being leaked, which regardless of the rumors being true or not is a big offense against the artists. Even if the photos are fake this is something that could harm both individuals, but perhaps especially Jennie as it seems the person is even leaking other private photos of her. Again, real or not this is simply not something that should be allowed to go on for this long. I personally think this is weird and very poorly handled by the companies, especially if these photos are real.
Sure Hybe hasn't had any similar situations before, but it's their job to deal with and take care of things like this all the same. Being sloppy or unsure how to proceed is possible but for how long are they just gonna let it go on?
By now surely they must have talked to Jennie and Tae, because of the nature of the leak, and if they are together and don’t want to confirm then fine... It could explain the silence, but then I hope that at least behind closed doors they are trying to do something about it. For me if they are together and considering how easily the Jennie x Kai rumor was confirmed I don’t see how confirming would bring more harm at this point rather than letting the leaks continue. I think most fans would simply offer sympathy. The only reasons I can think of for them to keep quiet is if the rumors are not true but they gain from the rumors, or the rumors are true but Tae and Jennie don’t want to confirm or that the companies think they have more to gain by not confirming despite the drama (like free PR and not angering shippers).
When it comes down to it there are only a few possible options (though they all allow various reasons for how it's been handled).
The rumors are true. Tae and Jennie are dating and the rest is all just the companies handling it all weirdly.
The photos and all of the rumors are fake, but they still won’t confirm anything.
The photos (at least some of them) are real, but they are not in a relationship.
The third option can in turn be developed with various angles, for example they are just friends (though that also seems weird considering the type of photos), but in this case keeping silent I feel would only be for another purpose, like the relationship is created/used for PR and/or the relationship is a sort of bearding/cover.
PR relationships are actually quite common, though I do think less so amongst idols simply because dating in general is not seen as a very positive thing. Even so, relationships can be used as promoting groups or activities and creates a lot of attention and buzz. A relationship that is real can of course also be used for PR, which we should keep in mind.
To me the timing of this relationship and the silence from the companies is what I think indicates they are using the rumor for PR purposes, no matter if it’s real or not.
Not confirming in itself might also be a decided PR move, to let the rumors be talked about and engage fans in speculation to gain more attention. Even so, I do think it’s odd that so little has been said about the rumors officially and it does leave room for deniability in the future. (If they actually are together with other people this is especially important to not let the rumors be clear lies told by the idols if the truth comes out in the future).
If the relationship is real I do think it will be confirmed at some point ahead (unless they break up before such a point is reached). I say this mostly based on 3 things. 1. Jennie and Kai already had their relationship confirmed. 2. If it’s a serious relationship (which I feel Tae being who he is it would be) then they would likely want to confirm at some point to show it’s serious. 3. The rumors have been going on for so long now that most fans seem to accept them and even say “just let them be already” meaning if they are afraid of fans’ reactions it has already started to accept the possibility more (as often happens with time). Basically if this all keeps going for a long time if it is real I will start to expect some kind of confirmation or at the very least more sightings etc. from more sources rather than just this one person who has been leaking things.
If nothing is ever said regarding Tae and Jennie and new rumors with other people or a confirmation of them being single appears it’s possible they used this for PR and either created the rumor for buzz, or rode along with it.
For me one of the most interesting questions about these rumors is about the timing. Why now?
The fact that it has all surfaced and been reported on along other individual projects with Taehyung being promoted, as well as around the time of BP having activities is always a PR red flag so to speak. Not that it can’t be genuine, but for example rumors of Tae showing up to the BP listening party or him being in New York at the same time as they do promotion etc. will mean the articles can advertise activities along with the rumors. Tae having an official appearance with Lisa during this period is another clear example or co-promotion for both groups even outside of the rumors that seems rather convenient with the timing.
I have yet to post it, but one part of my big Vmin analysis brings up Tae’s (and Jimin’s) individual personality and how I think he would be and think about a relationship. In that post I explain that Tae seems to be the type that wants to be as open as possible with most things. About who he is, but also if possible with who he loves. To me this is one of the reasons I can see Tae out of all members being less careful if he actually is in a relationship. He simply wouldn’t care much if people didn’t like it, because to him his true fans will accept it and be happy for him, and being truthful and happy is more important than the idol image. Of course it is a difficult subject, but with BTS being more “separate” as individuals it could now be different and Tae might have fewer reasons to hide his love life. Similarly to how fans have started to accept his smoking and it being his choice, eventually fans will get used to and accept the idea that he is dating. This could be one explanation to why the rumors have shown up now, and not before, even if members have had relationships before. Tae might simply be less careful about it. His reply about the accidental follow contradicts this a bit though, but that whole thing is also part of how all this started, so who knows if it was accidental or not.
I am going to be perfectly honest here, I would still be surprised if Tae is 100% straight and has never had a crush on Jimin. But the possibility is and always has been there. I might simply have convinced myself with my own analyses and theories to the point that it’s difficult to imagine Tae as anything else but in love with Jimin (I mean, you have seen what Tae does, Jimin is clearly very special to him). But again, that’s why I have to try even harder to remember that it’s still based on my interpretation, as well as my biases, and I might have gotten all of it (or some of it) completely wrong.
One of the things that I have been thinking about in regards to Vmin in particular with this rumor coming about is the possibility of “bearding”.
Now, I don’t really like to jump at this reason simply because it feels very much like an act of cognitive dissonance being a driving force. Basically as a Vmin shipper I might want to try to find reasons for the rumors that still allow my view of Vmin as a couple to remain intact. This is a danger I have spoken about myself before and I need to follow my own advice. (BTS&Vmin analysis pt. 3 - Problems with analysis of real people (part 1)) As one anon mentioned, this type of behavior also seems to be happening within the tae/kook community.
Bearding is a possibility but my main thought about this option is once again “Why now?” I mean, we know that BTS have all been rumored to be gay or have extreme shippers who believe members to be gay or in relationships with each other etc. but we have never seen any relationships with any of them before.
The only reason I could see bearding being a possibility is if something else is to happen that might in opposite to the Tae x Jennie rumors spark really big suspicions of members being gay. In particular about Tae of course, but also possibly Jimin if we look at a Vmin perspective. Despite it being close to their likely to happen military service it’s possible that there could still be things released that might make more people speculate about a LGBT+ connection for them.
I want to add onto this with a few new updates with Vmin in particular, as they came out after these thoughts of “what could trigger the need for a beard?” were already in my head.
First it was the live interactions, as mentioned above, it indicated Vmin still going strong. And secondly, and more poignant, when I saw Jimin’s Photo-Folio concept photos and his “color: freedom” theme matched with him being an angel in the colors of the Bi flag, I must say this speculation was a bit triggered in me. (Even if this is still all just speculative about what Jimin actually is saying)
But alas it would talk a lot more than that for there to be a reason to shield Tae in particular with a fake girlfriend rumor even if Jimin was to actually come out as LGBT+ officially. Especially with the other two maknae ships being much more popular anyways it’s unlikely the fandom would jump at Tae being LGBT+ and together with Jimin based on what Jimin does in regards to his own sexuality. So with that being said, IF this whole thing is a bearding situation I think something else that is more directly connected to Tae would have to be revealed. Maybe with his own Me, Myself and Taehyung concept?
My first thought in regards to something being released that calls for a beard though was if perhaps KTH1 is going to include more songs about love, and perhaps even use even more possible themes we already connect to Vmin? If so, having a possible love relationship for Tae there for fans to think of top of mind would make some sense. Again, this is the Vmin angle of this whole thing, but I still want to remind you this is all wild speculation. But as a Vminie, and as an analyzer I wanted to include these speculations as they did pop into my head.
These rumors have been all over the place and honestly I am kind of hoping it will all come to some end sooner rather than later. I especially think this very weird person who leaks things should just stop stirring things up and sharing things that aren’t theirs to share, or alternatively spreading lies for attention (planned by the companies for PR or done on the whim of a very disturbing individual doesn’t matter). I will surely notice if more developments regarding the rumor happens, but for now I am not that invested with more of the same coming out and rather wait until we actually get something more official. Basically I am just writing all of this to say "Let's wait and see".
Lastly, I wonder if people will still be interested in my Vmin analyses. As you know I have been working on the big one and was about to post a new chapter to Tumblr when these rumors and BTS’s whole hiatus put a bit of a stop to it. I don’t know if I should keep posting like usual, but honestly I do think a lot of the analysis is an interesting read no matter if Vmin is real or not. As you probably know I’ve always written analyses with the stance that Vmin might just be friends and that’s fine, their bond is still incredible and very interesting to look closer at. Also as I said nothing is confirmed, and Vmin are in the end still suspicious with a lot of things I haven’t talked about properly in posts yet. But let me know what you think, maybe you all find it weird for me to keep writing ship analysis for Vmin with everything that is going on.
Anyways, this wasn’t the easiest post to make and likely not the most fun to read either, so if you made it this far thank you. I hope you see my points.
Also, let's enjoy demon/angel Jimin and focus on things that bring us joy rather than giving these rumors more attention.
I purple you all, and I purple Vmin. 💜
