Why is Kim Taehyung the target? ARMYs question double standards; why must BTS speak while enlisted but other groups are spared amid boycotts?
Many question why the biggest groups in K-pop who are not yet enlisted and are exempted from enlistment - the girl groups - are not speaking out and using their platforms to educate the masses.
Updated : July 22, 2024 11:08 AM ISTMany question why the biggest groups in K-pop who are not yet enlisted and are exempted from enlistment - the girl groups - are not speaking out and using their platforms to educate the masses.
Kim Taehyung and BTS
Despite being enlisted in the South Korean military, the entitlement over one of the world's biggest boy groups - BTS - seems only to grow. Fans, not only of the group but others as well, want the seven Korean men to speak on topics they cannot address due to their enlistment, yet the pressure never ceases. While many understand that these seven men cannot solve global issues, there are also many who want them to use their influence to speak out.
Amidst this, there are ongoing boycotts against products supporting Israel amidst the Palestinian genocide. On July 21, BTS singer Kim Taehyung, also known as V, posted a series of old pictures on Instagram, including one featuring a bag of fries from McDonald's.
While BTS' association with the fast-food chain isn't new, the brand is currently being boycotted by the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement. Following Israel's deadly attacks on civilians in Gaza, recognized by the International Court of Justice as crimes against humanity, McDonald's began providing free meals to Israeli forces. Despite McDonald's purchasing all its Israeli restaurants and making donations from certain countries, the BDS movement's stance remains unchanged.
Amidst the debate over whether it was appropriate for V to post the fries, one glaring question remains: why are all members of BTS - Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, and Jeon Jung-kook - being scapegoated during this genocide?
These boys cannot speak out, especially as they serve in the military and represent South Korea. Many question why the biggest groups in K-pop who are not yet enlisted and are exempted from enlistment - the girl groups - are not speaking out and using their platforms to educate the masses.
if only people use common sense.
— ¹³ ✩ ᴍᴜsᴇ 🎧 (@lovediar13s) May 12, 2024
those artist that spoke about the genocide are not serving in military.
that is the huge difference and answer to your question 'why they don't speak about it?'
them being active from time to time in socmed or seen in public events
doesn't mean… https://t.co/VIrqfyy0kN
why are TXT members silent? why are seventeen members silent? Twice? Blackpink, Stray Kids, Ateez, Enhypen???? Itzy? All those names and for what if they’re gonna be silent about a genocide??? I am losing my mind
— ari 𓂆 (@falastinerkive) July 7, 2024
shinee are grown ass men, they are educated, ofc they are aware of what's happening around the world. we aren't responsible for whether they speak up or not
— ren (@shineecraze) June 4, 2024
but it'd be nice to think they would
Im not going to that seventeen follow again cinema screening if they dont take israel off the list. Last straw. We educated the boys enough, they should have a say.
— GOT7+SEVENTEEN SPEAK UP 팔레스타인 🇵🇸 (@_jupitersmoon_) July 21, 2024
PLEASE do and i also i beg as bout palestine so blackpink can speak up aswell🥺 we need them more then ever now!!! https://t.co/k9qFW2uZyA
— jojo⸆⸉saw taylor🕒 (@guiltyaspoet) July 19, 2024
where are ur tweets being disappointed in ateez & blackpink? Who are super active right now & ignoring the genocide? Or do u only have this energy for enlisted idols? hope that ateez concert is worth the Palestinian blood on ur hands. ZIONIST. @galeish1
— . (@archie34730) July 9, 2024
I would love for @Stray_Kids to step up and speak up against this genocide. Be like Dua Lipa and many others. Be on the right side of history! https://t.co/hFpv0L1J5N
— Keels 🥠『🐰🦊🐶🐿』 (@Trippin4SKZ) June 20, 2024
In fact, many wonder why K-pop has become the focal point of this issue instead of people questioning their local authorities.
The US and Biden were significant sources of funding for this conflict. Instead of targeting BTS, why not address the influential artist who endorsed him during the presidential election?+ pic.twitter.com/qqudahl7a9
— Moon 🌙 (@BangtanAPBP7) July 12, 2024
Jin a K-pop idol cannot end this genocide, y’all need to keep calling out the government, isnotreal, why tf are y’all putting pressure on a Korean man to end the genocide https://t.co/o7LRo2Jqqk pic.twitter.com/82EgoXvbB2
— JayJay77 ⁷ (@JayJay_2521) July 8, 2024
I get the point of boycotting, hence why i supported brand ones. Yet how is boycotting K-pop directly going to help those who need it in palenstine? I get the whole Hyb* situation with working people who support the genocide. Yet what has that got to do with the other comp-
— Jas loves Channie 🐺💖 (fan account) (@skzismyuniverse) January 22, 2024
V is not the only idol facing backlash; aespa's collaboration with the brand also received significant criticism from their fans. Even NCT, for their collaboration with Starbucks, other idols like Le Sserafim's Huh Yun-jin and soloists like SOMI have faced online hate.