Jimin and Jungkook Debunking Taekook
Chapter Two Solo Era 2023-2025
Are They Ready to Share More About Their Bond, Post Military?
The solo era has been enjoyable, with talented members delivering good, if not great, music. However, it has also been frustrating due to a segment of the so-called fandom that is determined to hate and discredit not only Jimin’s music but also levy personal attacks on both Jimin and Jungkook. This behavior stems from envy, jealousy of their success, and most importantly, the strong bond between Jimin and Jungkook. We have solo fans for Jungkook, Taehyung, Jimin, and the most vocal group of haters, the Taekookers, all contributing to a toxic environment.
But what I find intriguing and cherish the most about the solo era, despite the haters’ rhetoric, is the unbreakable bond between Jimin and Jungkook. I want to share my perspective on what I observe and believe based on the actions of Jimin and Jungkook, as well as the members and other individuals or entities.
I’d like to discuss events that happened over the past two years, in my opinion, that debunk the lore surrounding Taekook.
Jungkook had multiple lives in the early months of 2023, where he frequently talked about Jimin. He watched Jimin on Suchwita with Suga, even though he hadn’t watched any other shows or members on the show. Later, he started watching other content that highlighted Jimin. When Jimin entered the chat during many of his lives, Jungkook would light up with excitement.
Jungkook even attended one of Jimin’s dance practices and praised him. During the solo era, Jimin was the only member he publicly supported, except for attending Suga’s first Seoul concert with Taehyung and Jimin. Jungkook performed at the second series of Seoul concerts alongside Jimin and RM, but he didn’t publicly support any other members in 2023.
After Jimin’s music show appearances, he held a few lives. On one live, Jungkook entered the chat and told Jimin “I Am Your fan”. During a series of Lives held by Jungkook on Silver Day, he changed his outfit three times and told Army to watch for something special at midnight. Jungkook also spoiled Jimin’s song “Letter” by playing a few chords from the song where he sang background vocals.
Jungkook’s Half Naked Live with Jimin
I believe we all watched Jungkook’s live stream on July 27, 2023. This live was a few weeks after Jungkook spent time with Jimin in New York City for Jimin’s solo debut on Good Morning America and the filming of the first two episodes of Are You Sure - NY/CT. Jungkook hosted the live while lying in bed, partially naked (or fully, as he playfully peeked at his body under the sheet). Shortly after the live began, Jimin joined him in the chat for a somewhat charged conversation. Jungkook and Jimin engaged in flirting, with Jungkook repeatedly inviting Jimin to join him on the live. However, Jimin declined each time. Army was left stunned and amused by the conversation, while third-wheeling the show.
Jimin and Jungkook, following Jungkook’s solo debut in New York City in July 2023, embarked on a travel show that showcased their close friendship and possibly more. The duo spent several days exploring New York and Connecticut, indulging in delicious meals and engaging in various activities. Each episode featured affectionate moments between the two, highlighting their unbreakable bond.
However, some fans attempted to dismiss the show as mere fan service, except for the brief interaction between Taehyung and Jungkook during their trip to Jeju Island. Despite this, Taehyung unexpectedly joined the group after seeing the itinerary in the group chat. Jungkook repeatedly reminded Taehyung that he was a guest and unlikely to be invited again. Jimin also clarified with Taehyung, although welcome, he was a guest.
Despite Jikook’s efforts to maintain boundaries, Jimin and Jungkook continued to interact, leading Taehyung to become increasingly disinterested in the trip after the first day of activities. He found himself as the third wheel and even left on the third day to spend the day golfing with his Wooga Squad friends.
During Jimin’s birthday live performance, he expressed his genuine concern for Jungkook’s well-being, especially during his solo debut. Despite it being Jimin’s special day, he couldn’t help but feel sad and a bit despondent. Jimin’s worry was for someone very close to him, Jungkook.
On November 23rd, Jimin and Jungkook embarked on a trip to Japan for a music show scheduled for Jungkook. They also had a few private days in Tokyo and Sapporo to film AYS. This was the first time the two members had traveled together since the Busan concert in 2022. Unfortunately, the trip was marred by controversy due to vile hate and death threats. The reason behind the hate was that Jimin and Jungkook were traveling together, and there were rumors that they were enlisting together in the military. Haters even sent emails and tagged the Ministry of Defense, claiming that Hybe was filming gay propaganda. This was a serious attempt to harm their personal lives by involving the military. Despite the overwhelming hate, Jimin and Jungkook arrived at the airport together, proudly walked through the corridor lined with fans, was screened through security while hugging, and boarded their plane.
Stuck on You - "This is Jimin" Contemporary Dance
As part of the anticipation leading up to Jimin’s second album, he released a series of dances in diverse styles. One particularly emotional dance was a contemporary piece set to the song “Stuck on You” by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber. The dance was released shortly before Jimin and Jungkook’s enlistment in the military. The passion and beauty of the dance beautifully conveyed the emotions expressed in the song’s lyrics. Many fans believe that the lyrics provide a glimpse into the feelings Jimin and Jungkook have for each other.
So lock the door
And throw out the key
Can't fight this no more
It's just you and me
And there's nothing I, nothing I, I can do
I'm stuck with you, stuck with you, stuck with you
South Korea requires all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 to serve in the military for at least 18 to 22 months, depending on their branch of service. In December 2024, Namjoon, Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook enlisted in the military. Jimin and Jungkook applied to enlist together as part of the military companion program, which allowed them to enlist, attend basic training, deploy to the same base and unit, and serve together for their entire 18-month enlistment. Despite their companion status, many Taekookers persist in spreading false rumors that Jimin and Jungkook don’t serve together. However, both Jimin, Jungkook, and Jin have confirmed that they do serve together. Jimin and Jungkook regularly engage in conversations, sing together while showering, and discuss their plans before going to bed.
Jimin’s latest album, Muse, was released on July 19, 2024. The album delves into themes of love, falling in love, and the complexities of romantic relationships. It draws inspiration from BTS’s song “The Truth Untold” and the Smeraldo Flower. Throughout the album, there are numerous LGBTQ+ coded elements, with references to Jungkook both during the promotional period and in the album itself.
One of the most prominent references is a massive billboard featuring Jungkook’s eyes that falls from the sky in the title track’s music video. The title track CD cover and music video incorporate the pride flag colors and rainbow colors throughout the video. Additionally, purple and gold, which are known to be the colors of Jimin and Jungkook’s microphones, boxing gloves, clothing pieces, and other items, play a significant role in the music video.
Jungkook Live - December 18, 2024
Jungkook, still enlisted in the military, surprised the fandom, Korea, and the West with a surprise LIVE broadcast on Weverse on December 18, 2024. He revealed that he came 90% for the Army, leaving the remaining 10% a mystery. I speculate that he made this move in response to the negative sentiment surrounding Jimin and his father, as well as the overall negativity from some Taekookers at the time. Jungkook made it clear that he still served with Jimin at the same base after basic training. They would often get together after work to talk, sing, and even shower together while singing.
🐰 Anyways I’m here because I wanted to see you guys so much. I was thinking of what I should talk about but… about 90% of this is just because I miss you guys
🐰 I’m working hard (serving) with Jimin hyung and we’re doing well
🐰 Jimin hyung and I often talk about songs and hum them.
🐰 We often get a little away from others and we also sing loudly
🐰 Jimin hyung’s songs are so well made to fit his style/voice, they’re so high
🐰 Me and Jimin hyung sang this song so many times!
🐰 We sang it almost every day together while showering and all
Jimin and Jungkook have been relatively quiet on social media since their enlistment. Jungkook occasionally posts on Weverse and his dog Bam’s Instagram account. Jimin hasn’t posted on his Instagram in over a year but has written four letters on Weverse and participated in a comment thread with Jungkook on another member’s post. His latest two letters provided an update on his life in the military, discussions he’s had with Jungkook about music and performances they want to release post-military, and their future professional and personal plans.
If I had to think of one thing that's changed, it would be the year, and with that, the conversations I have with Jungkookie before we go to bed. Those have changed a lot.
The day we'll be able to meet all you ARMYs is getting closer, so we're thinking about seeing you again, and about all the things we'll have to get ready before that, or what kind of things to show you in the future and what kind of lives we'll be living, etc. We're talking about a lot of things.
Family Social Media - Jungkook’s Brother, Junghyun
Jungkook’s brother, Junghyun, reactivated one of his old Instagram accounts this month. The account used to feature a lot of photos of both Jungkook and Jimin. Junghyun also posted (via tags) or liked Jikook fan art. However, he has removed most of those posts from the account. He left one photo of Jimin posing with him. The Jikook fan art was the original image on this account.
So, why do I bring up all these events? I return to my opening paragraph of debunking Taekook lore. In my opinion, the events that have transpired over the past two years have easily debunked Taekook shipping rhetoric. I firmly believe that both Jungkook and Jimin share close but distinct relationships with Taehyung. With that in mind, the relationship that Taehyung has with Jimin and Jungkook is characterized by love and affection, but it is purely platonic. Until the members of BTS, along with Bighit, collectively denounce shipping and shippers, the toxicity surrounding the shipping community will persist. However, in light of the recent events, I believe that Jimin and Jungkook subtly attempt to address the negative sentiment through their actions and words, as described above.
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I believe Bighit is subtly showcasing Jimin and Jungkook’s relationship. In chapters one and two, Jimin and Jungkook are close friends with an unbreakable bond. Working on solo albums in 2023, both members had extremely busy schedules and were unable to meet daily. Contrary to the claims made by Taekookers, we know that Jimin and Jungkook did see each other throughout the year. They were captured together at Jimin’s dance practice, the recording of the song Letter for the FACE album and Suga’s concerts. They also spent time together filming Are You Sure in New York City, Connecticut, Jeju Island, and Japan. Additionally, they were together to discuss enlistment in the military buddy program and complete the application process. Ultimately, they enlisted in the military together, which serves as a testament to their unwavering bond.
Although the focus of this essay is on the years 2023-2024, we can’t forget the ten+ years that Jimin and Jungkook have publicly shown their bond. We have GCF Tokyo and Saipan, Mama 2018, Rosebowl, Hickeygate and hundreds of other “minor and major moments” where they showcased their bond publicly.
Both Jimin and Jungkook engage in skinship and affectionate behavior on camera. They have both demonstrated support and personal authenticity for the LGBTQ+ community through their music videos, Golden Closet Films, photoshoots, photo folios, and music.
The comments Jimin made in his recent Weverse Letter hinted at a profound and possibly life altering decision he may share: “WHAT KIND OF LIVES WE’LL BE LIVING.” This statement is particularly significant given the speculation that Jimin and Jungkook will reside together in Jungkook’s new house. While I don’t anticipate an official announcement of their relationship status, I believe they will no longer feel the need to conceal their relationship. This new contract offers them the freedom to live their lives as they choose, free from the constraints imposed by the K-pop industry.
Both Jimin and RM have repeatedly mentioned that they will be able to discuss certain matters with Army that they were unable to talk about before enlisting. I believe one of these topics MAY pertain to personal relationships, although it’s not necessarily about the identities of their partners, but rather whether they have been or are currently in relationships.
