If we are talking about choices
And we are, because duh, that's the point of this post of mine...
There is something I feel we haven't talked about here since both JM and JK's birthdays.
It's been weighing on me for a while now and I wanted to put it down on paper, so to speak.
I know we are all caught up in the excitement of AYS2 coming, but a second and a half before that drops I wanted to share these thoughts I've had with you.
We've been through a bit in the past few months.
Like wtf happened?
That clear hight from the two's pre-discharge and discharge from military, followed by them going on their trips and the LA smoking hot live, followed by... do I even have to say it? I don't wanna...
That f^$*&# of a reporter at the airport - he just HAD to open his big old mouth, right?
That #%*@ D and the shitshow that followed, including the 'statement' made a day prior to JK's birthday. Which, unsurprisingly (to me, at least) also ended with JM being silent on JK's birthday, for the first time EVER (other than during military service).
JK came live the day before his birthday and for his birthday. And he most definitley did not look happy.
His attitude was kind of grim.
This was not the JK we came to know in his birthday lives.
Unlike JM that has repeatedly told us that his birthday isn't something he feels is too important,
JK's attitude has always been different.
Birthdays are important to JK.
And that is also the reason why it has been so important for JM to be there for him every single year from debut.
Including flying half way across the world to surprise JK for his birthday.
Because he knew, he knows how important that day is for JK. Not only being there for him, with him, but also acknowledging it publicly.
But he couldn't this year.
The whole shitshow that dropped days before JK's birthday, the statement issued just a day prior, it came as no surprise what so ever that JM stayed silent this year.
Sadly we predicted it, and so sadly said prediction came true.
Did they spend time together on the day? I have to believe that they did. They were and are inseparable. JM has ALWAYS been there for JK's birthdays and I am positive that he was there this year too. But I am also sure that it wasn't the same, it wasn't a joyful day because as happy as they are to be together it was marred by the fucked up actions of that person, things beyond their control.
And maybe that is why this happening at the timing it did hit JK so hard - because this day means so much to him.
So JK was not happy. It was as clear as day.
And the change in attitude was evident.
This isn't because he's matured.
This isn't him changing what he actually thinks about birthdays.
Look at him.
His body language.
The way he's not looking into the camera. The way he won't let us see his eyes.
And so, I think they made a choice.
Both of them.
JM doesn't even talk about not having a cake for his live, he only says that he didn't eat cake...
And that's because he doesn't like cake...
And dieting too?
But you see... It's not about being on a diet. It's not about not liking cake.
They both always had those cakes to celebrate it, with us. JM never really ate the cakes anyway. It was about blowing out the candle/s and having that little celebration with Army.
And this here is about choosing to not celebrate their birthdays this year, because something happened. Something that hurt them.
Something beyond their control that was forced on them and that forced them apart publicly in a very abrupt and unpleasant way.
No public birthday wishes for each other (with JK it could have passed as "it's just JK being JK, sometimes he does sometimes he doesn't", but with JM it was so damn loud and obvious - JM NEVER missed a JK birthday).
But there is a comeback in the works, and they can't not show up for their birthdays, right?
Even if they are mad.
Even if they are angry.
Even if they are disappointed. In Army as well.
So they did.
They showed up.
They did their birthday lives.
But there was no celebration.
And what is the culmination of a birthday celebration if not the birthday cake?
And they never forwent the birthday cake. Even in chapter 2 and their solo era.
JK's 2023 birthday live not included, as he came for less than 9 minutes just to say hi and bye, and basically JM is the one to give us the birthday live for JK, lol. Man was busy. Too busy, if you ask JM.
With JK it was very fresh, the hurt, it felt more raw, this was just a day after the statement was made and it's obviously closer and more painful. And although JM's birthday comes almost a month and a half later, and although he was back in the public eye by now, army drooling over him with his travel to the Dior show, he decided to not go though with the whole birthday shtick as well.
Like it or not. It's about the birthday celebration with the fans, even when doing the birthday live without the other members. There is ALWAYS a cake.
Not this year.
A choice.
A JM and JK choice.
When you can't say it out loud, when your hands are tied, it's those little acts of "rebellion' of sorts - defiance - that give you that sense that you are still in control.
That, to me, is what this was about.
