The Dark Side Of Fandom: Jin opens up about the pressure of solo stans

May 19, 2025

On Thursday, May 15, Jin appeared on the variety show "Handsome Guys" as a special guest. The show revolves around exploring unique and local cultural spots in Korea while inviting a celebrity to join their travel itinerary.

This was his third time appearing on the show alongside the other five hosts and this time, they invited him to join them at a Korean-style barbecue. As they sat around the table and chatted about various topics, one of the hosts asked the idol if there were any other members who would fit the concept for the show.

He replied that Jungkook and V were good choices because: "For this role, Jungkook would fit best. He really eats well. And for this vibe, V would fit best."

He also added that V and Jungkook have a strong bond as they often make fun of each other, which is another factor that could fit the concept of "Handsome Guys."

Oh Sangwook then joked, "I'm 96. Anyway, anyone younger than me can just come on [the show]" after knowing that Jungkook was born in 1997 (Sangwook was born in 1996.

However, as soon as the fencing god said this, Jin "warned" him and added that even he is quite cautious when talking to Jungkook because ARMY can be very scary sometimes.

"The ARMY are scary. That's why I don't speak carelessly to Jungkook either," Jin reminded him immediately.

👤: Among your members, is there anyone who would fit well with our program? Anyone who matches this show?

🐹: Among the members? Someone who comes to mind. For this role, Jungkook would fit best.
👤: Why? Is he a good eater?
🐹: He really eats well.
👤: Oh, really?
🐹: And for… pic.twitter.com/XX2zm8saRp

— bts memeories⁷ (@btsmemeories) May 15, 2025

Video transcripts 

👨🏻 Among your members, is there anyone who would fit well with our program? Anyone who matched this show?

🐹  Among the members? Someone who comes to mind. For this role, Jungkook would fit best.

👨🏻 Why? Is he a good eater?

🐹 He really eats well.

👨🏻 Oh, really?

🐹 And for this vibe, V would fit best.

👨🏻 Why?

🐹 They roast each other

👨🏻 Oh, nice

🐹 Someone who doesn't get hurt even if we talk harshly

👨🏻 No, it's just, since we're close, we can do that. Then Sangwook, maybe you could do an invitation video or something. An invitation letter, maybe.

🐹 Jungkookie was born in 1997. Taehyungie in 1995.

🧑🏻 I'm 1996. Anyway, anyone younger than me can just come on [the show]

🐹  The fans are scary. That's why I don't speak carelessly to Jungkook either.

🧑🏻 Should we try a video message? Should we try this? I'll do it.

🧑🏻 Hope each of you can come on at least once. We can even follow you abroad. Just let us know whenever you have time. We'll all go together. So we can tag along. Promise with hyung.

🐹 I don't get to decide that. I don't set the schedule.

——————————————————————————————

Also, when one of the hosts asked the idol to promise that Jungkook would appear on the show, he objected and stated that he was not the one who decided the members schedules.

While Jin did not give any direct hints as to what he meant when he mentioned that "the fans are scary," many speculated that he may been referring to criticism from solo stans (people who express their preference for only one idol in a group).

It wouldn't be such a bad thing if solo stans only cared about one member, but unfortunately, there are many toxic elements that turn this fan culture into a negative one. Solo stans are now known for their extreme attacks and criticism towards other idols in their group, friends, or people who just mention their bias.

Many fans and netizens have talked about how sad they are to see members being more cautious how they talk and interact with each other because of this type of fan culture.

ARMYs comments:

❥ The solos really ruined at all

❥ I hope they never shape their relationship around what someone sitting 2,000 miles away have to say

❥ It's actually low-key heartbreaking that Seokjin is saying "the fans are scary" so even he's carefully of how he speaks to Jungkook??? His Jungkook??? Who he raised to be his BEST GODDAMN FRIEND??

❥ And this clearly shows members know what those solos do. How they drag other members over a small mention of their bias

❥ "The fans are scary. That's how they don't speaks carelessly to Jungkook either." He didn't say ARMYs, we know whom he referring to

❥ It is sad to see members acknowledging the fact they can't freely talk each other because of scary fans who attack them for everything

❥ People missing the point. It's insane that Seokjin has to watch how he interacts with Jungkook. Like that's his baby brother! I dislike some parts of fandom

❥ "Fans are scary." I bet all the tannies know by how about useless akgaes 

❥ Tannies know who are fans and who are ARMYs

❥ It's saddening how even Jin knows that even Tae and JK fans are scary

❥ I hope he knows those are not fans but freakin' solos... I don't want any of them to change the way they interact with each other because of those fans

❥ I love the way ham ham talks about Taetor tot and Boba mom who has been watching her kids grow up their entire lives and knows their personality exactly

❥ The difference between fans and ARMY... Poor Jin, he knows about it and it breaks my heart that he can't even be really free with the members because of some "fans"